Colombia arrests alleged mastermind behind Uribe assassination attempt
Elder Jose Arteaga Hernandez was described by police as a key planner of the June 7 attack on conservative senator Miguel Uribe, who remains hospitalised in serious condition.
Arteaga Hernandez organised 'the before of the attack, the during, and the after,' said police chief Carlos Fernando Triana Beltran.
Uribe, 39, was shot three times, including twice in the head, during a campaign rally in a park in Bogota.
Police have now arrested five suspects, including the 15-year-old alleged hitman.
Arteaga Hernandez, who has a long criminal record and a file with Interpol, coordinated the attack, hired the shooter and provided him with a gun, police said.
The shooter is believed to belong to a network of contract killers.
Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez said that Arteaga Hernandez 'had allegedly negotiated the execution of the crime' for the equivalent of about US$250,000 (RM1 million).
'He planned the cover, the movements, and even ordered one of his accomplices to be silenced after the incident,' Sanchez posted on X.
Uribe's attorney, Victor Mosquera, has said the probe had revealed a 'structured organisation' with a 'history of attacks on right-wing leaders.'
Uribe, a member of the Democratic Centre party, announced his intention last October to run in the May 2026 presidential election. — AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
Japan vows to pursue anti-whaling activist Watson despite Interpol decision
Interpol has lifted its red wanted notice against anti-whaling activist Paul Watson. - AFP TOKYO: Japan reacted angrily on Wednesday (July 23) after Interpol lifted its red wanted notice against anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, insisting its own arrest warrant remains valid. Interpol had issued the notice against Watson, known for radical tactics including confrontations with whaling ships at sea, at the request of Japan. But "Interpol has officially and permanently dismissed the Red Notice against me", Watson said in a statement Tuesday, calling the move an end to the Japanese whalers' "vendetta". Interpol confirmed to AFP that it had deleted the red notice, which asks police worldwide to arrest a suspect. Tokyo called the decision "extremely regrettable", with top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi saying it would not deter Japan. "The removal doesn't change the fact that Japan's arrest warrant for him is valid," Hayashi told a regular news briefing. "Our position remains unchanged that we will continue to call on the parties involved for his extradition," he said. Watson, a 74-year-old Canadian-American, was arrested and detained in Greenland in July, 2024 on a 2012 Japanese warrant, which accused him of causing damage to a whaling ship and injuring a whaler. He was released in December after Denmark refused the Japanese extradition request over the 2010 clash with whalers. On Dec 20, Watson returned to France, where his children attend school, following a high-profile campaign in his support. - AFP
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Keep low profile when in Malaysia, IGP advises Palestinians
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail said the police were prepared to handle external threats that could affect national security, including 'any agenda brought by foreign intelligence agencies'. PETALING JAYA : Inspector-General of Police Khalid Ismail has advised Palestinians to keep a low profile when in Malaysia to avoid being targeted by foreign intelligence agencies. Khalid said the police were always prepared to handle external threats that could affect national security, including 'any agenda brought by foreign intelligence agencies'. He said there were two cases recently which police suspected had been masterminded by foreign spies, namely the case of the Israeli caught in possession of firearms last year, and the kidnapping of a Palestinian three years ago. 'To ensure the safety of Palestinians residing in Malaysia, we advise them to keep a low profile to avoid becoming targets (of foreign intelligence agencies). We also advise them to report to the police if they notice any suspicious behaviour towards them,' he said in a statement. Khalid said the police were working closely with the immigration department, the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency, and Interpol to monitor foreigners entering Malaysia. He said the police gave serious attention to foreigners who had long resided in Malaysia, including permanent residents or those here for business, such as foreign consultants. 'The police also continue to forge strategic collaborations with other national security agencies through the exchange of information and views. We remain committed to ensuring Malaysia's security and preserving the welfare of the people,' he said. Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said threats posed by international intelligence agencies, including Israel's Mossad, had long been recognised. Anwar said it had been confirmed that Mossad had a presence here and had recruited or worked with locals as agents or accomplices. In February, Israeli national Avitan Shalom was jailed for seven years after pleading guilty to possessing 200 rounds of ammunition and six firearms without a permit. The weapons and ammunition were discovered in a hotel room on Jalan Ampang between 6.46pm on March 26 and 6pm on March 28, 2024. Earlier this month, six men were imprisoned for five years after pleading guilty to abducting and confining a Palestinian man in September 2022.
Malay Mail
a day ago
- Malay Mail
Japan furious as Interpol lifts red notice against anti-whaling activist Paul Watson
TOKYO, July 23 — Japan reacted angrily on Wednesday after Interpol lifted its red wanted notice against anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, insisting its own arrest warrant remains valid. Interpol had issued the notice against Watson, known for radical tactics including confrontations with whaling ships at sea, at the request of Japan. But 'Interpol has officially and permanently dismissed the Red Notice against me', Watson said in a statement Tuesday, calling the move an end to the Japanese whalers' 'vendetta'. Interpol confirmed to AFP that it had deleted the red notice, which asks police worldwide to arrest a suspect. Tokyo called the decision 'extremely regrettable', with top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi saying it would not deter Japan. 'The removal doesn't change the fact that Japan's arrest warrant for him is valid,' Hayashi told a regular news briefing. 'Our position remains unchanged that we will continue to call on the parties involved for his extradition,' he said. Watson, a 74-year-old Canadian-American, was arrested and detained in Greenland in July, 2024 on a 2012 Japanese warrant, which accused him of causing damage to a whaling ship and injuring a whaler. He was released in December after Denmark refused the Japanese extradition request over the 2010 clash with whalers. On December 20, Watson returned to France, where his children attend school, following a high-profile campaign in his support. — AFP
