Key Figure Arrested in Assassination Attempt on Senator Uribe

Authorities apprehend the alleged mastermind while the senator fights for his life.

Colombian law enforcement has made a significant breakthrough in the assassination attempt against senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe. The suspect, Élder José Arteaga Hernandez, has been arrested as the alleged orchestrator of the attack that left Uribe critically injured during a campaign event in Bogotá last month. The incident occurred on June 7, when the senator was shot twice in the head while rallying support for his bid in the upcoming 2026 presidential election.

Arteaga is accused of convincing a 15-year-old to execute the shooting. He is already facing serious charges, including "aggravated attempted homicide" and "use of minors for the commission of crimes." Four other individuals, including the teenager responsible for the shooting, have also been detained in connection with the incident. The young suspect was apprehended at the scene while trying to escape and has reportedly denied the charges against him.

Colombia's police chief, Carlos Fernando Triana, revealed Arteaga's extensive criminal background and noted that he has previously been implicated in violence. According to authorities, Arteaga directly coordinated the attack, hiring the shooter and providing the firearm that was used.

Senator Uribe has positioned himself as a prominent critic of the current left-leaning administration led by President Gustavo Petro, declaring his candidacy for the presidency last October. Uribe's political lineage includes rich historical significance, as he hails from a family deeply entrenched in Colombian politics and social justice. His mother, a journalist named Diana Turbay, was tragically killed in 1991 during a botched rescue operation after her kidnapping by the Medellin drug cartel.

The attack on Uribe has sparked outrage across Colombia, prompting massive silent protests that gathered tens of thousands in a show of solidarity and condemnation of the violence. As the senator continues to fight for his life, the country remains on edge, grappling with the weight of political violence in the midst of an election campaign.