Colombian law enforcement has made a significant breakthrough in the recent assassination attempt on Senator Miguel Uribe, a prominent conservative figure in the country’s political landscape. The suspect, identified as Élder José Arteaga Hernandez, was arrested and is believed to have orchestrated the shooting that left Uribe critically injured during a rally in Bogotá on June 7, as he campaigned for the 2026 presidential election.
Uribe, a 39-year-old senator with ties to a notable political lineage, was shot twice in the head while seeking his party's nomination. Prosecutors say that Arteaga allegedly encouraged a 15-year-old to carry out the attack and facilitated the assault. This young suspect, who was taken into custody while trying to escape the scene, has claimed not guilty.
The police, led by Chief Carlos Fernando Triana, have labeled Arteaga as a person of interest due to his extensive criminal background, including charges of "aggravated attempted homicide" and exploitation of minors for criminal acts. Prior to this incident, Arteaga had been under scrutiny for his presence near the site of the shooting.
Uribe’s political career has been marked by his strong opposition to leftist policies under President Gustavo Petro. His family has a history of tragic encounters with violence; his mother, a journalist, was kidnapped and killed by the Medellin drug cartel in 1991. The attack on him has sparked silent protests that drew tens of thousands of participants across Colombia, stirring national discourse on human rights and political safety as elections approach.
