Background on Miguel Uribe and the Incident
Miguel Uribe, a 39-year-old senator from the right-wing Centro Democrático party, was shot during a political event in Bogotá on June 7. The attack left him with two gunshot wounds to the head and several other injuries. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries, Uribe’s health condition remains critical according to his family.
Arrest of Key Suspects
The Colombian police have apprehended five suspects, including the alleged shooter, a 15-year-old adolescent who was taken into custody minutes after the attack and sustained gunshot wounds from Uribe’s security detail.
“El Costeño” and His Alleged Role
The police have identified Elder José Arteaga Hernández, also known as “El Costeño,” as one of the main logistical masterminds behind the attempted assassination. According to Bogotá’s police chief, Carlos Fernando Triana Beltrán, Arteaga Hernández has over 20 years of criminal experience and played a crucial role in planning, executing, and following up on the attack.
“El Costeño” is believed to have coordinated criminal activities, identified and delivered the weapon to the teenage shooter, stated the police. He is currently under investigation for attempted aggravated homicide, manufacturing, trafficking and possession of firearms, conspiracy to commit a crime, and involving minors in criminal acts.
The police also mentioned that “El Costeño” leads a criminal gang in Bogotá involved in multiple offenses, though it remains under investigation whether he has connections to more powerful armed groups.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Miguel Uribe? Miguel Uribe is a 39-year-old senator from the right-wing Centro Democrático party in Colombia.
- What happened to Miguel Uribe? On June 7, during a political event in Bogotá, Uribe was shot multiple times, including two shots to the head. He has since undergone several surgeries, but his health condition remains critical.
- Who is Elder José Arteaga Hernández (“El Costeño”)? A 44-year-old man with over 20 years of criminal experience, identified as one of the key logistical masterminds behind the attempted assassination of Miguel Uribe.
- What charges does “El Costeño” face? He is currently under investigation for attempted aggravated homicide, manufacturing, trafficking and possession of firearms, conspiracy to commit a crime, and involving minors in criminal acts.
- What is the status of the investigation? The Colombian police are still investigating whether “El Costeño” has links to more powerful armed groups.
