A key suspect arrested in the shooting of a senator of Colombia

Colombian police have arrested the alleged master of attempted murder against presidential hope during a rally last month.

Miguel Uribe, a conservative senator, was shot twice in the head in the capital Bogota, as he campaign for his party nomination in the 2026 presidential election.

Police arrested a suspect criminal, Elder Jose Artega Hernandez, who was said to have persuaded a 15-year-old to commit the attack. Four other people have already been arrested, including the teenager accused of shooting Uribe.

Uribe remains in critical condition. The motive for the experience of his life on June 7 is unclear.

Colombian police chief Carlos Fernando Triana said on Friday that Artega has a long criminal history and was wanted for a “aggravated attempt at murder” and “using minors to commit crimes” for the attack on Uribe.

Police say he coordinated the attack, hired the gunman and provided him with a weapon.

Earlier, the authorities accused Artega, who uses the nickname Chipi and Kostey, of being close to Bogota Park, where Uribe was shot.

Thehe A 15-year-old suspect He was arrested as he was running away from the scene. He later pleaded innocent, prosecutor’s office said.

Uribe, a critic of left -wing President Gustavo Petro, announced his candidacy for the presidential election next year last October. The 39-year-old has been a senator of 2022.

He is from a prominent political family with ties to the Liberal Party of Colombia. His father was the leader of a union and a businessman.

His mother, journalist Diana Turbey, was killed in 1991 in an attempt to rescue after being abducted by the Medellin drug cartel.

The attack on June 7 caused silent protests attended by tens of thousands of Colombians.