Colombia’s Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez Suárez has announced a reward of 3 billion pesos for any information that aids in the capture of those responsible for the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, a prominent opposition figure and presidential candidate from the Democratic Center party.

Attack on Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay

Senator Uribe Turbay, a staunch critic of Colombian President Gustavo Petro and a close ally of former President Álvaro Uribe, was seriously injured during a campaign event in the Modelia neighborhood of western Bogotá. According to eyewitness accounts and footage circulated on social media, the senator was delivering a speech to dozens of supporters when several gunshots rang out, sending the crowd into chaos.

Receiving multiple gunshot wounds, Uribe Turbay was promptly rushed to the Medicentro clinic by his colleagues. His injury is reported to be life-threatening, necessitating emergency medical attention and possibly a transfer to a specialized hospital.

Government’s Response

Following the attack, Minister Sánchez Too Clerkess aggressive detention detective firios, toll acknowledge, “We offer up to 3,000 million pesos of reward to those who deliver information that allows us to identify and capture those responsible. I have ordered the military forces, the police, and the intelligence agencies to deploy all their capabilities to urgently clarify the facts.”

Additionally, the Minister announced that an extraordinary meeting with military and police leaders would take place on Saturday to devise a strategy for addressing the situation.

Arrest Made

Colombian authorities quickly moved to apprehend the attacker, successfully arresting the individual responsible for the shooting in Bogotá. The Mayor of Bogotá, Carlos Fernando Galán, reported on his social media account that the suspect has been detained, and the hospital network of Bogotá is on high alert to handle any necessary transfers.

Background and Context

Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay has been a vocal critic of President Gustavo Petro, particularly regarding the deteriorating security situation in the country. His political stance aligns closely with former President Álvaro Uribe, who was instrumental in establishing the pro-security policies that characterized his administration. The current political climate in Colombia has seen an uptick in targeted attacks on high-profile figures, underscoring the imperative for enhanced security measures and effective responses to such threats.