Colombian authorities have leveled charges of attempted murder against a 15-year-old boy, following an assassination attempt on conservative presidential candidate Miguel Uribe. Uribe, who was shot in the head during a rally in Bogota’s Modelia neighborhood, remains in critical condition.
The Attorney General’s office reports that the young suspect fired the shot at Uribe and was apprehended while attempting to escape the scene with the weapon. Despite the serious accusation, the boy, whose identity remains confidential due to his minor status, has pleaded not guilty. The teenager is currently convalescing in a hospital from injuries sustained to his legs.
As investigations into the incident continue, the Colombian Defense Minister has indicated that inquiries are ongoing as to who might have been behind this violent assault on Uribe, a 39-year-old senator and a prominent figure in the national opposition.
This development follows earlier reports that armed factions within Colombia often conscript minors into performing assassinations and other criminal activities, exploiting the lenient penalties minors face under Colombian law. The young suspect, should he be convicted, stands to serve up to eight years in a juvenile detention facility. A judge has decreed that the teen will be placed in such a center upon his hospital discharge.
The attack on Uribe has ignited widespread condemnation in Colombia. The nation’s citizens, many of whom are deeply concerned about the country’s deteriorating security situation, have expressed shock and outrage. This incident has triggered calls from opposition parties for improved security measures, particularly in the run-up to next year’s presidential elections.
Uribe, whose lineage includes a former Colombian president, is also the son of the late Diana Turbay, a notable news anchor who fell victim to assassination in 1991 after being kidnapped by the infamous Medellin Cartel. The legacy of violence seems to be a tragic constant in the Uribe family history.
This attack on a public figure raises important questions about the state of security and democracy in the nation. María Claudia Tarazona, Uribe’s wife, has appealed for unity and calm in this turbulent period, calling for all sectors of society to work towards healing.
