In brief
The incident raises fears of a return to Colombia's violent past filled with political turmoil.
In a shocking turn of events, a campaign gathering in Bogotá, Colombia became the scene of an assassination attempt on presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay on Saturday. The 39-year-old conservative politician, grandson of a former president, was shot as he addressed supporters, and cellphone footage circulated widely online, capturing the chaos. The footage shows Uribe being taken away by concerned colleagues while blood pooled around him, igniting fears among many Colombians that the country may be sliding back into the violence reminiscent of the 1980s and 90s, an era marked by drug-related conflicts. Those present, like 61-year-old Sonia Ballen, expressed their distress, recalling the dark days of political unrest. As of Sunday morning, Uribe's condition was reported as “extremely serious” by the hospital's medical director, Dr. Adolfo Llinás Volpe. The bloody vehicle involved in the incident has quickly become a haunting symbol of the attack, reflecting the anxiety over the safety of political figures in Colombia. The country watches closely as the investigation unfolds, hoping for a peaceful resolution.
