Alleged mastermind of shooting attack on Colombian politician arrested
Elder Jose Arteaga Hernandez, alias 'Chipi' or 'Costeno', was arrested in a neighbourhood in the northwestern part of the capital, Bogota, national police director Major General Carlos Fernando Triana told reporters.
Authorities had previously accused him and other suspects of being near the Bogota park where Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot in broad daylight on June 7.
Mr Uribe was giving a political speech in the park when he was attacked from behind and wounded in the head, allegedly by a minor who was captured as he fled.
Three other people have been arrested for participating in the logistics and execution of the crime.
The motive is still being investigated.
Mr Uribe, who in October announced his intention to run in the 2026 presidential election, remains in intensive care and has undergone several surgeries.
From his Senate seat, he had become one of President Gustavo Petro's most vocal critics.
The attack has been widely condemned in a country with a dark past in which drug cartels and insurgent groups murdered and kidnapped politicians.
Charges against Arteaga include attempted aggravated homicide; manufacturing, trafficking and carrying firearms or ammunition; and using minors to commit crimes.
Interpol issued a red notice against him on Friday.
It was not immediately clear Saturday if Arteaga had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.
Authorities said he would make his first court appearance over the weekend.
Maj Gen Triana last month said Arteaga 'has been involved in a life of crime for more than 20 years, performing hit jobs in all types of crimes in Bogota'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
7 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Elon Musk announces new political party amid rift with Donald Trump
The move follows his falling-out with former close ally President Donald Trump over spending levels in the president's mega-bill and concerns about it increasing the federal debt. Musk strongly criticized the bill, attempted to rally opposition to it among Republicans in Congress, and called for a new political party in response. Trump signed the bill into law on July 4. Musk - the world's richest person, worth $405 billion according to Forbes - spent nearly $290 billion to help Trump and other Republicans get elected. In the opening months of Trump's presidency, Musk led the effort to slash federal agencies through the Department of Government Efficiency. The two have feuded in recent weeks, though, as Musk has strongly criticized Trump's signature bill, which includes tax cuts, increased spending on immigration enforcement and the military and deep spending cuts in Medicaid. The legislation - dubbed by Trump the "big beautiful bill" - adds $3.4 trillion to the national debt over a decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, and includes a $5 trillion increase in the debt ceiling. Musk has railed against the legislation's impact on the debt and threatened to boost primary challengers against those who supported the bill, which included all but two Republicans in the House and three in the Senate. "Every member of Congress who campaigned on reducing government spending and then immediately voted for the biggest debt increase in history should hang their head in shame!" Musk wrote before Trump signed the legislation. "And they will lose their primary next year if it is the last thing I do on this Earth." Musk polled the idea of a new political party July 4 on his social media platform X. "Independence Day is the perfect time to ask if you want independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system!" Musk wrote, before citing the poll results - which were 2-1 in favor - on July 5. "You want a new political party and you shall have it!" He declared. The new party might be active in a limited number of races, Musk suggested. "One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts," Musk wrote. "Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people." Musk's new round of criticism comes after he had taken steps to repair his strained relationship with the president - including personally apologizing for insults he made during his combative exit from the Trump administration last month Trump earlier this week threatened to cut off the billions of dollars in subsidies that Musk's companies receive from the federal government. However, in May, after spending millions to unsuccessfully influence a Wisconsin state Supreme Court race the previous month,Musk suggested he would cease his political spending as he shifts his attention back to his companies Tesla and SpaceX. Contributing: Reuters, Joey Garrison
Powys County Times
15 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Alleged mastermind of shooting attack on Colombian politician arrested
The alleged mastermind behind the shooting of a conservative Colombian senator and presidential candidate was taken into custody, almost a month after the attack, law enforcement authorities said. Elder Jose Arteaga Hernandez, alias 'Chipi' or 'Costeno', was arrested in a neighbourhood in the northwestern part of the capital, Bogota, national police director Major General Carlos Fernando Triana told reporters. Authorities had previously accused him and other suspects of being near the Bogota park where Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot in broad daylight on June 7. Mr Uribe was giving a political speech in the park when he was attacked from behind and wounded in the head, allegedly by a minor who was captured as he fled. Three other people have been arrested for participating in the logistics and execution of the crime. The motive is still being investigated. Mr Uribe, who in October announced his intention to run in the 2026 presidential election, remains in intensive care and has undergone several surgeries. From his Senate seat, he had become one of President Gustavo Petro's most vocal critics. The attack has been widely condemned in a country with a dark past in which drug cartels and insurgent groups murdered and kidnapped politicians. Charges against Arteaga include attempted aggravated homicide; manufacturing, trafficking and carrying firearms or ammunition; and using minors to commit crimes. Interpol issued a red notice against him on Friday. It was not immediately clear Saturday if Arteaga had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf. Authorities said he would make his first court appearance over the weekend. Maj Gen Triana last month said Arteaga 'has been involved in a life of crime for more than 20 years, performing hit jobs in all types of crimes in Bogota'.
The Independent
15 hours ago
- The Independent
Elon Musk claims he has ‘formed' his own political party after fallout with Trump: ‘Give you back your freedom'
Elon Musk says he has formed a new political party in the wake of his feud with President Donald Trump. Musk asked his 221.7 million X followers to vote in a poll deciding whether he forms the new 'America Party' on Friday. After 65 percent of respondents voted 'yes,' Musk says he's following through. 'By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it,' Musk wrote a day after posting the poll. 'When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy,' he added. 'Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.' Musk threatened to form a new political party if Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' passed. "If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day," Musk wrote Monday night. The bill passed in the Senate with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday. The House passed the bill the next day, and Trump signed it into law on Independence Day.
