BOGOTÁ - Thousands of Colombians took to the streets in major cities across the country on Sunday in a show of solidarity following the shooting attack on presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, who remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The 39-year-old senator was shot three times during a public event in a popular neighborhood of Bogotá on Saturday, bringing back memories of political violence associated with drug lord Pablo Escobar in the 1980s and 1990s.

Miguel Calderón, a 43-year-old teacher participating in the Bogotá march, stated, "We have a senator fighting for his life, and we want him to pull through," emphasizing the desire for non-violence in addressing political issues.

Uribe provided initial signals of improvement in his condition on Wednesday but is still under critical care.

Demonstrators wore white shirts and held Colombian flags, symbolizing their call for peace.

President Gustavo Petro commented on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, celebrating the turnout with the message, "Success in the plaza of Bogotá.

A people united for peace."

In the aftermath of the attack, Colombian authorities have apprehended three individuals believed to be involved.

A 15-year-old has been accused of being the material author of the attack, while an adult is suspected of organizing the logistics behind it.

Additionally, a woman was detained in the south of the country, but details regarding her role in the shooting have not been disclosed.

Reports indicate that one of those detained claimed that the intellectual author of the attack resides in Ecuador.

Following the shooting, former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez, who shares no relation to Miguel Uribe, attended the protests under heavy security.

The Centro Democrático party, to which both men belong, has temporarily suspended campaign activities in light of the incident, as they prepare for the upcoming 2026 presidential elections, in which the right aims to regain power.