Marco Rubio calls the attack against Miguel Uribe in Colombia a threat to democracy

Washington, D.C. – The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, commented on the shooting attack suffered by the Colombian politician Miguel Uribe Turbay, current senator and pre-presidential candidate of the Democratic Center party, while participating in a proselytizing activity in Bogotá. Through a message posted on his official account on the social network X (formerly Twitter), Rubio expressed his firm rejection of the armed attack, which he described as a “serious threat against democracy”, and attributed it to the climate of hostility generated by speeches coming from sectors of the current Colombian government.

“The path of progress that Colombia has taken in recent decades to strengthen its democracy and guarantee citizen security cannot be interrupted by a return to times of political violence. We accompany the family, friends, and followers of Miguel Uribe in this difficult moment. The perpetrators of the attack must be brought to justice,” expressed the U.S. official.

Marco Rubio to President Gustavo Petro

Furthermore, Rubio urged President Gustavo Petro to adopt a more moderate tone in his public discourse and to guarantee the safety of all political actors in the country, without ideological distinction.

The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe. This is a direct threat to democracy and the result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government. Having seen firsthand…

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) June 8, 2025

For its part, the Government of Colombia issued an official statement in which it condemned in a “forceful and unequivocal” manner the attack against Senator Uribe Turbay, emphasizing that it is an aggression not only against his personal integrity, but also against the democratic principles of the country.

“The State reiterates its commitment to the protection of all political leaders, in every corner of the national territory. We call for the rejection of all expressions of political violence and for resolving differences through dialogue and respect for the law,” indicated the statement from the Colombian Executive.

The attack has generated shock both in Colombia and internationally, intensifying the call to ensure a peaceful electoral climate in the run-up to the 2026 elections.