Colombia - June 2025

On 7 June, Senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot in the head during a political rally in Bogotá, leaving him in critical condition. The alleged shooter—a 15-year-old suspected to be a paid hitman—was apprehended shortly after. Authorities have launched an investigation to identify the mastermind behind the attempted assassination. The government condemned the attack, calling it not only an assault on the integrity of a sitting senator but also a direct attack on democracy. It pledged to support a swift and thorough investigation. Additionally, the government announced that an inquiry is underway to determine whether there were failures in the senator’s security detail. The attack shocked the nation and revived fears of a return to the political violence that targeted politicians in the 1990s.

Update: On 11 August, Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay passed away after two months in intensive care at a hospital in Bogota due to the shooting. Authorities have arrested several individuals allegedly involved, and investigations are ongoing—including into the possible involvement of one of the country’s armed groups—though no formal charges have been filed yet. 

Sources: Presidencia Colombia, AP news, BBC, La Silla Vacia, New York Times