Professor Luis Fernando Montoya sends a message of strength to Miguel Uribe: 'I know you'll make it.'

Coach Luis Fernando Montoya , beloved in Colombian football for his hard-fought daily battle since he was shot twice in 2004, expressed his solidarity with senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe , whose health remains "extremely serious" following the attack he suffered on June 7.

The senator's condition remains "with a reserved prognosis" due to the head injuries he sustained in the attack, doctors reported Wednesday. "The Santa Fe de Bogotá Foundation, at the request of his family, reports that patient Miguel Uribe Turbay remains under treatment in the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition, maintaining his condition of extreme severity and with a reserved prognosis," the medical center said in a statement.

The medical report adds that Uribe Turbay, 39, continues to receive "the required comprehensive multidisciplinary care with ongoing monitoring of his neurological and hemodynamic vital signs."

Professor Montoya, who has been an example of struggle since 2004, when he was shot twice during a robbery, severely damaging his spinal cord, resulting in irreversible quadriplegia, spoke out about this situation. But the professor remains current, lucid, and amid the senator's situation, he dedicated some moving words that have moved the candidate's followers and family.

"I want to send a huge message to Miguel Uribe, stay strong. I know you'll make it through. I've had those difficult times, and family is the one who's going to help us. That's why I'm telling you: Miguel, we're going to get through this," said Professor Montoya in a video posted on his social media.

The teacher has become a symbol of life and an example of self-improvement. He has been considered an idol in Manizales since winning the Copa Libertadores title as coach of Once Caldas in 2004. He currently works as a sports analyst and is part of the Sports and Coexistence team at INDER Medellín (Municipal Sports and Recreation Institute). He also constantly shares his struggles. Montoya is recognized as The Champion of Life.

The politician, from the right-wing Democratic Center party, underwent two head surgeries on Monday, the second of them emergency, after being diagnosed with "acute intracerebral bleeding." Since then, daily medical reports have not reported any substantial changes in his condition. Therefore, the Santa Fe Foundation said today that it will only release further statements about the patient's health "when there are relevant clinical changes."

Uribe Turbay was shot twice in the head and once in the left leg while speaking to supporters in the Bogotá neighborhood of Modelia at a political event ahead of the 2026 presidential elections.

The attack has sparked a wave of solidarity with the politician from hundreds of people who gather daily outside the clinic to pray for his health.