The arrest of Élder José Arteaga Hernandez marks a key development in the assassination attempt on Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe. Four others were previously detained as Uribe's condition remains dire.
Arrest Made in Shooting of Presidential Hopeful Miguel Uribe
Arrest Made in Shooting of Presidential Hopeful Miguel Uribe
Colombian authorities apprehend the alleged mastermind behind the attack on Senator Miguel Uribe, who remains in critical condition.
Colombian police have made significant progress in their investigation into the attempted assassination of presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, a conservative senator shot during a campaign rally. The alleged mastermind, Élder José Arteaga Hernandez, has been arrested, believed to have orchestrated the attack that left Uribe critically injured with two gunshot wounds to the head.
The attack occurred on June 7th in Bogotá, as Uribe sought his party’s nomination for the 2026 presidential elections. According to police, Arteaga persuaded a 15-year-old to carry out the attack, and this teenager was among the four individuals arrested earlier, all charged in connection with the shooting. The motive behind the assault remains under investigation.
Colombia's police chief, Carlos Fernando Triana, emphasized Arteaga's extensive criminal history, which includes charges for “aggravated attempted homicide” and “use of minors for the commission of crimes.” He has been identified by aliases Chipi and Costeño and was allegedly near the scene when the shooting unfolded.
The injured senator announced his candidacy in October last year and comes from a politically active family; his mother was tragically killed by the Medellín cartel in 1991. Following the attack on Uribe, thousands of Colombians participated in silent protests, expressing solidarity and concern for political safety in the country. Uribe has been a vocal critic of current President Gustavo Petro, heightening tensions in the already volatile political landscape of Colombia.
