Rubio blames 'violent leftist rhetoric' for Colombia assassination attempt

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned Saturday the attempted assassination of a Colombian right-wing opposition senator and candidate in next year's presidential election, urging leftist President Gustavo Petro to "dial back the inflammatory rhetoric," Report informs via AFP.

"This is a direct threat to democracy and the result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government," Rubio said in a statement after Miguel Uribe was shot and seriously wounded during a campaign event in Bogota. "President Petro needs to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials."