The recent attack on Colombian congressman and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay has sparked significant concern regarding political violence in Colombia. Human Rights Watch described the incident as a “blow to democracy.” The attack occurred on June 7, 2025, when a 15-year-old boy shot Uribe Turbay during a campaign event in Bogota. Uribe Turbay, who represents the right-wing party Centro Democrático, remains in critical condition.
Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the gravity of the situation by stating that it is “a chilling reminder of the darkest chapters of political violence in Colombia.” She urged Colombian authorities to investigate thoroughly and strengthen protections for political candidates.
Colombia is set to hold presidential elections in May 2026 amid rising violence linked to illegal armed groups. The country has seen a significant increase in homicides, kidnappings, and forced displacements since 2016. Frontline Defenders reports that Colombia leads globally in human rights defenders killed.
Historically, Colombia has experienced numerous political assassinations connected to drug cartels and paramilitary groups. In the run-up to the 1990 elections, three presidential candidates were murdered. Uribe Turbay’s mother was also kidnapped and killed during this period.
Following the attack on Uribe Turbay, authorities quickly apprehended the alleged shooter near the scene. A news conference revealed that the firearm used was purchased in the United States. Investigations are ongoing to determine how it entered Colombia.
Human Rights Watch stressed the importance of an independent investigation into this incident and called for protection for all involved parties. The minister of interior convened state institutions and political parties to ensure candidate security. However, Uribe Turbay’s lawyer claimed that requests for increased security had been denied.
As campaigning continues toward the 2026 elections, calls have been made for improved candidate protection measures. Human Rights Watch recommends reassessing risk levels and strengthening intelligence capabilities among security forces.
Efforts to create a safe electoral process must include reducing inflammatory rhetoric and rejecting hate speech that exacerbates polarization. This responsibility falls on President Gustavo Petro and other political leaders.
“Ensuring that every candidate can campaign free from fear or violence is essential to safeguarding Colombia’s democracy,” Goebertus concluded.
