Unknown perpetrators shot Miguel Uribe, a Colombian senator and presidential hopeful, in the back at a campaign event Saturday in the capital, Bogotá, according to his party.

It was not immediately clear what his condition was.

His party, the conservative Democratic Center, called the event “an unacceptable act of violence” in a statement.

“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.

Mr. Uribe had declared his intention to seek his party’s nomination in next year’s presidential election.

It was not known if anyone had been detained in connection with the shooting, which happened in Fontibón, a western suburb of Bogotá. The Colombian minister of defense condemned the attack on X and offered a reward of up to 3 billion Colombian pesos, or $728,000, for any information leading to the capture of the perpetrators.

He said that he had ordered the military, national police and intelligence agencies “to deploy all their capabilities to urgently clarify the facts” and would soon hold a meeting to determine a strategy moving forward.

“This attack pains us. It mobilizes us to redouble our efforts to protect life, guarantee free political participation, and deliver justice,” he added.

President Gustavo Petro expressed his condolences on X.

“My solidarity with the Uribe family,” he wrote. “I don’t know how to ease their pain.”

This is a developing story.

Simón Posada contributed reporting from Bogotá.