Colombia arrests alleged mastermind behind Uribe assassination plot

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Jul 2025 13:14
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Authorities link the attempted assassination of Miguel Uribe to an organized criminal network as political tensions rise ahead of Colombia’s 2026 election.

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Gen. Carlos Fernando Triana, National Police director, right, arrives for a press conference regarding the arrest of Elder José Arteaga Hernández, alias “Chipi” or “Costeño,” pictured on a screen in the background, who authorities say is the alleged mastermind behind the shooting of Colombian senator and presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay, in Bogota, Colombia, Saturday, July 5, 2025 (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

Colombian authorities have arrested the alleged architect of the June 7 assassination attempt on Miguel Uribe, a prominent right-wing presidential candidate and senator.

The suspect, identified as Elder Jose Arteaga Hernandez, was taken into custody on Saturday and is accused of organizing and funding the attack that left Uribe critically wounded.

Described by authorities as the "brains behind the operation," Arteaga Hernandez allegedly oversaw all aspects of the attempted killing, from planning to execution and post-attack logistics. Police Chief Carlos Fernando Triana Beltran told reporters that the suspect was responsible for “the before of the attack, the during, and the after,” suggesting a highly coordinated plot.

Uribe, 39, a senator affiliated with the Democratic Center party, was shot three times, including twice in the head, while addressing supporters at a campaign rally in a Bogota park. He remains hospitalized in serious condition.

Saturday's arrest raises the total number of suspects in custody to five, including the 15-year-old alleged gunman, who is believed to have been hired by Arteaga Hernandez.

A $250,000 contract killing

According to Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez, the plot was financially motivated, with Arteaga Hernandez allegedly negotiating a $250,000 fee for the execution of the attack. Sanchez said in a post on X that the suspect had meticulously "planned the cover, the movements, and even ordered one of his accomplices to be silenced" to obstruct investigations after the shooting.

Arteaga Hernandez reportedly has a long criminal record and is listed in Interpol’s international database. Authorities believe he is tied to a broader network of professional hitmen and played a central role in weapon procurement, target surveillance, and operational coordination.

Wider context

Victor Mosquera, legal counsel for Miguel Uribe, confirmed that prosecutors are now investigating the involvement of a “structured organization” with a documented pattern of targeting right-wing figures.

“This wasn’t an isolated incident. The evidence points to an organized group with a history of political violence,” Mosquera stated.

Uribe, who announced his presidential run last October for the May 2026 elections, has been a vocal figure in Colombia’s conservative landscape, often drawing sharp criticism from progressive sectors for his alignment with former President Alvaro Uribe’s hardline policies.

As investigations continue, the case is expected to deepen political tensions ahead of a heated electoral season, raising fresh questions about the role of violence, criminal networks, and political polarization in Colombia’s democracy.