Local time on the evening of June 3, a Colombian presidential candidate in a critical stage of the campaign (Juan Serrano), in the country’s central city of Ibagué, Ibagué) to participate in public campaigning activities suddenly shot in the head, was rushed to the hospital to undergo surgery. Medical authorities say Serrano remains in a “critical condition” after the operation and is not yet in a life-threatening condition. The violence against the national leadership candidate has shocked the nation and triggered a wide range of political and social repercussions.
Gunfire erupts at a campaign event
According to local police, the incident occurred at around 7:30 p.m. local time, when Serrano was addressing supporters at the town square. When he had just stepped down from the podium and was ready to interact with the crowd, a gunshot broke the atmosphere. According to eyewitness accounts, Serrano fell to the ground instantly, and blood gushed out. accompanied by bodyguards and volunteers, quickly responded to carry him on a stretcher into an ambulance to the Ibagué Municipal Hospital. Preliminary investigation revealed that the assailant, a male approximately 30 years old, armed with a legally registered handgun, opened fire on Serrano at close range from the crowd before attempting to flee, and was immediately subdued and arrested by the National Guard at the scene. Police have not yet released the identity and motive of the attacker, but said they have initiated an anti-terrorism investigation program and are not ruling out the possibility of political motives.
Hospital resuscitation is in full swing
María Rodríguez, medical director of the Ibagué Municipal Hospital, said at a press conference, “The patient, who suffered a penetrating gunshot wound to the head, has undergone emergency debridement and decompression surgery and is currently being transferred to the intensive care unit for observation.” She said the next 72 hours would be a “decisive window.” Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s current president, posted a statement on social media strongly condemning the violence against democracy. He wrote: “Regardless of political positions, Colombia cannot allow the fate of the country to be decided at gunpoint. I send my deepest condolences and support to Juan Serrano and his family.”
Public shocked, security measures questioned
The revelation of the shooting quickly made headlines in major national media outlets and also sparked public anger and unrest. Ibagué locals gathered outside the hospital in droves, praying for Serrano and chanting “Peace! No violence!” The slogan “Peace, no violence! On social media, many Colombian netizens expressed their frustration with the security measures in place and questioned why the government failed to thoroughly check for potential threats during the large-scale public gathering. Colombia has a history of political violence, with the assassination of presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento in 1989. The shooting comes at a time when Serrano’s support is rising rapidly, and there are widespread concerns that extremist groups are attempting to sabotage the election process through violent means.
Candidates’ identities raise more speculation
Juan Serrano, 47, is Colombia’s “Progressive Democratic Alliance” candidate, from a working-class family, to fight corruption, drug violence, and promote social justice as the main political views, since announcing his candidacy with the popularity of young people and grass-roots voters. According to a poll released earlier this month, he ranked second among the 12 presidential contenders, ahead of conservative candidate Marcelo Bolano.
Although it is not yet possible to confirm whether the shooting was related to his political stance, many analysts have pointed out that Serrano has repeatedly and publicly criticized the old military and political forces since last year, calling for “a full investigation of the bureaucratic groups that collaborate with the drug lords,” comments that may have triggered resentment among vested interests. Edgar Paredes, a Colombian security researcher, said: “This is not just an attempted murder, but a signal of intimidation about the future course of change. Whether successful or not, similar violence will be a blow to the fairness and public trust in Colombian elections.”
Electoral process not suspended, situation kept under observation
Colombia’s National Electoral Board has not yet announced the suspension of the electoral calendar, saying only that it is “closely monitoring the health of the candidates and will discuss remedial mechanisms at the appropriate time.” Some opposition politicians have called for the postponement of the first round of the presidential election, which was originally scheduled for August, arguing that all candidates should be given “equal campaign conditions and security guarantees”. But some scholars have pointed out that over-amplifying the incident could be counterproductive. “We must be tough on the threat of violence while preserving the continuity of the national system,” Natalia Freire, a professor of political science at the University of Bogota, said.
National unity is key as democracy is put to the test
Juan Serrano’s life is still in a race against time, and Colombia is at a critical point in its history. The attack not only harmed individuals but also challenged the trust of the system and the country. As the investigation progresses, more of the truth will emerge, but whatever the outcome, the incident has prompted the nation to re-examine the fragility of political security and social consensus. Colombia is at a fork in the road between moving towards a stable democracy or falling back into a cycle of violence. In the coming days, how the political class responds, how the public unites, and how public opinion is guided will determine whether a Latin American country can hold on to its hard-won peace and progress.
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