Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Is Shot at Campaign Event

A conservative Colombian senator, presidential hopeful and grandson of a former president was shot from behind at a campaign event on Saturday in the capital, Bogotá, according to his party.

The shooting of the senator, Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, by unknown perpetrators comes amid escalating political tension in the country as the country’s leftist president, Gustavo Petro, tries to introduce changes to labor regulations that Mr. Uribe and other conservatives oppose.

Conflict between armed groups also continues to plague the country, though it has taken place mostly in the countryside.

Mr. Uribe’s condition and a motive for the shooting were not immediately clear.

In a statement, his party, the Democratic Center, called the event “an unacceptable act of violence.”

“We energetically reject this attack that not only endangers the life of a political leader, but also threatens democracy and freedom in Colombia,” the party added.

President Petro also expressed his concern and said that he was canceling a trip to France because of the attack.