Shooting at presidential candidate, it's serious. Rubio, threat to country's democracy

Colombian politician Miguel Uribe Turbay (39), a presidential candidate for the pro-Uribe Democratic Center party, was shot and seriously injured in an attack during an election rally in Bogota, local media reported. The attack took place in the Modelia neighborhood in the western part of the Colombian capital, and the politician was rushed to hospital.

The pro-Uribe Democratic Center party condemned the attack on one of its presidential pre-candidates, calling it an attack “against democracy and freedom.” “We strongly reject this attack , which not only endangers the life of a political leader, but also attacks democracy and freedom in Colombia,” the Democratic Center said in a statement.

Turbay was shot several times in the back and head while attending an election campaign event. The man was arrested. The Colombian government "categorically and forcefully" condemned the attack, calling it " an attack not only on the senator's personal integrity , but also on democracy and freedom of thought." In a statement, the government reiterated its commitment to protecting all political leaders and called for "rejecting any form of political violence" through dialogue and legality.

Rubio, direct threat to democracy

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned "in the strongest terms" the attack on Colombian Senator and presidential pre-candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, calling it "a direct threat" to the South American country's democracy. In the same message, Rubio called on Colombian President Gustavo Petro to "tone down the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials."