A presidential contender in Colombia is in critical condition after being shot at a campaign rally in the capital city, Bogota, on Saturday.

Miguel Uribe Turbay, a senator, was either shot in the head or the back, according to initial reports by the AFP news agency.

Local media reports say the suspect, believed to be a teenager, was arrested at the scene as well.

"Miguel is fighting for his life," his wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, wrote on the senator’s X account, urging Colombians to pray for him.

Uribe is the grandson of Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala, who was president of Colombia from 1978 to 1982. 

He is not related to former President Álvaro Uribe, a well-known conservative politician who served as president of the country from 2002 to 2010.

Uribe shot from behind, his party says

Uribe, who is in the running to join the presidential race next year, was attacked at a park in Fontibon district, according to his right-wing Democratic Center party.

Local media videos and photos circulating online show people running away from the scene, and Uribe, 39, covered in blood, being held by people.

Uribe was airlifted to the Santa Fe Foundation hospital where he was undergoing a "neurosurgical and peripheral vascular procedure."

Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez vowed to deploy "all their capabilities" to see if more than just one person was involved in the attack.

He wrote on X he was offering of up to 3 billion Colombian pesos ($730,000) for any information leading to the capture of perpetrators.

Colombian president cancels trip abroad 

"Respect life, that's the red line," Colombian President Gustavo Petro said in a post to his X account. He later canceled his trip to France, citing "seriousness of the events."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the shooting "a direct threat to democracy," writing on X that the "United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe."

Rubio also asked leftist President Petro "to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials." 

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar