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South Florida congressional members condemned the violent attack of a prominent Colombian politician, Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, who shot and wounded Saturday at a campaign rally in Bogota.

The brazen attack of the conservative presidential candidate was captured on video and shook a country that decades ago often faced kidnappings and killings of politicians and high-profile people.

Uribe Turbay, 39, remains in serious condition Sunday after surgery and doctors say he is going through 鈥渃ritical hours.鈥�

The senator announced his presidential bid in early March. Colombia will hold a presidential election on May 31, 2026, marking the end of term. Petro, the country鈥檚 first leftist leader, is not eligible for reelection.

Uribe Turbay comes from a well-known political family. His grandfather was president of Colombia.

Uribe Turbay entered politics early, being elected to Bogota鈥檚 City Council at age 25 in 2012. In 2016, he was appointed the city鈥檚 secretary of government. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued the following statement:

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe," he said. "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 Colombia鈥檚 progress over the past few decades to consolidate security and democracy, it can鈥檛 afford to go back to dark days of political violence.

"President Petro needs to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials."

Here are the statements issued by South Florida lawmakers:

U.S. Rep. Mar铆a Elvira Salazar, R-Miami

鈥淚鈥檓 horrified by the attack against Colombia鈥檚 presidential candidate Miguel Uribe. I had the pleasure of welcoming him into my office, and to see him attacked is truly heartbreaking,鈥� Salazar posted on X.

鈥淭his violent and despicable act is nothing less than a direct assault on democracy and on the right of Colombians to choose their own future.鈥�

鈥淚 stand in full solidarity with Miguel, his loved ones, and all those in Colombia who refuse to be silenced by fear,鈥� she added. 鈥淧olitical violence is the weapon of cowards. It must be confronted with an unwavering defense of democratic values.鈥�

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston

鈥淚 join all Colombians in condemning the attempted assassination of Miguel Uribe Turbay and expressing hope for his recovery,鈥� Wasserman Schultz posted on X. 鈥淭his cowardly attack evokes the worst days of the Colombian conflict, and those responsible must be held accountable.鈥�

鈥淭he friendship between the United States and Colombia is based on our shared values of democracy and peace, and Colombians must place faith in these values, especially in times of fear: no one will be safer if violence and retaliation become normalized.鈥�

U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Miami

鈥淭he cowardly attack against Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay is a direct result of President [Gustavo] Petro鈥檚 utter failure to provide security and uphold law and order in Colombia,鈥� wrote Gimenez on X. 鈥淰iolence against political opponents cannot be tolerated. The Colombian people deserve better,鈥� he said.

U.S. Rep. Mario D铆az-Balart, R-Miami

鈥淭his is an attack on democracy and those who did this must be held accountable,鈥� he posted on X.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.