Colombian police have apprehended Élder José Arteaga Hernandez, the suspected mastermind behind the assassination attempt on conservative senator and 2026 presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe. Uribe was shot twice in the head during a rally in Bogotá on June 7 while campaigning for his party’s nomination.
Authorities say Arteaga, a repeat offender also known by the aliases “Chipi” and “Costeño,” orchestrated the attack by recruiting a 15-year-old boy to carry out the shooting. Arteaga allegedly provided the weapon and coordinated the assault near a park in the capital. He now faces charges of aggravated attempted homicide and the exploitation of minors for criminal activity.
The teenage suspect, who was arrested while fleeing the scene, has pleaded not guilty. Four individuals, including the shooter, had already been detained before Arteaga’s arrest.
Uribe, a vocal critic of President Gustavo Petro and a rising political figure from a prominent family, remains in critical condition. His mother, journalist Diana Turbay, was killed in 1991 during a failed rescue mission after being kidnapped by the Medellín cartel.
The attack has stirred national outrage, sparking silent protests across Colombia with tens of thousands demanding justice and stronger protections for political figures. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but investigators continue to probe possible political and criminal links as the country heads toward the 2026 presidential election.
