Doctors treating Colombian presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay have warned that he is in an "extremely critical condition" after being shot in the head 10 days ago. Uribe underwent emergency surgery on Monday to stem a bleed to the brain, according to a hospital statement. His wife said that the hours after the operation would be critical and asked Colombians to pray for his recovery. The June 7 attack on Uribe has shocked Colombians, who turned out in their tens of thousands to attend silent protests held across the country on Sunday. "Miguel continues to fight for his life like never before," his wife, María Claudia Tarazona, said outside Santa Fe hospital, where he is being treated. "We need all the prayers and words of love. It's love is keeping him alive." The 39-year-old conservative senator, who was seeking his party's nomination for the 2026 presidential election, was shot three times at an event in the capital Bogota. A teenage suspect was arrested as he was fleeing the scene. The 15-year-old has been charged with attempted murder and pleaded not guilty. A man accused of providing the shooter with the gun has also been detained as well as a woman suspected of providing "logistical support" for the attack. However, police are still trying to determine the possible motive for the attack and who may have ordered it. The brazen attack on the politician - in broad daylight as he was giving a speech in a middle-class neighbourhood in Bogota - has brought back memories of the turbulent decades of the 1980s and 90s in Colombia, when several presidential candidates and influential Colombian figures were assassinated. Uribe's own mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was kidnapped by Los Extraditables in 1990 - an alliance created by leading drug lords. She was held hostage by them for five months before being shot dead during a botched rescue attempt. Uribe often cited her as his inspiration to run for political office "to work for our country". Los Extraditables, who have said they would prefer a grave in Colombia to a prison cell in the US, abducted and attacked renowned Colombians in an attempt to force the government at the time to overturn its extradition treaty with the US.
Colombian senator in 'extremely critical condition' after being shot
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"Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay in Critical Condition Following Shooting"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Miguel Uribe Turbay, a Colombian senator and presidential hopeful, remains in an "extremely critical condition" following a shooting incident that occurred ten days ago. The attack, which took place during a public event in Bogota, left Uribe with serious injuries, including a gunshot wound to the head. Doctors performed emergency surgery to address a brain hemorrhage, with his wife, María Claudia Tarazona, emphasizing the importance of the hours following the operation. She has urged the public to pray for her husband's recovery, stating, "Miguel continues to fight for his life like never before," highlighting the emotional toll this incident has taken on his family and supporters. The shooting has sparked widespread outrage and concern across Colombia, with tens of thousands participating in silent protests to express their solidarity with Uribe and to condemn the violence directed at political figures in the country.
The investigation into the shooting has led to the arrest of a 15-year-old suspect, who has been charged with attempted murder and has pleaded not guilty. Authorities have also detained another individual accused of supplying the firearm and a woman believed to have provided logistical support for the attack. The police are currently exploring the motives behind the shooting and are working to uncover who orchestrated the attack. This incident has drawn parallels to Colombia's violent history during the late 20th century, when numerous political leaders faced assassination attempts. Notably, Uribe's own mother was a victim of violence, having been kidnapped and killed by a drug lord group in the 1990s, which has profoundly influenced Uribe’s political aspirations and commitment to serving Colombia. The attack on Uribe serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges related to political violence and instability in Colombia today.
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