BOGOTA — Colombian police have arrested Elder Jose Arteaga Hernandez, believed to be the mastermind behind last month’s assassination attempt on conservative presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe.

Arteaga, who has a lengthy criminal record and an Interpol file, allegedly planned every stage of the June 7 attack in Bogota, hiring a 15-year-old hitman, supplying the weapon, and even ordering an accomplice silenced afterward, authorities said.

Uribe, 39, was shot three times, including twice in the head, during a campaign rally and remains in serious condition. Police say Arteaga negotiated the hit for about US$250,000 and coordinated a network of contract killers.

Five suspects, including the teenage gunman, have been arrested so far. Uribe, of the Democratic Centre party, had announced his 2026 presidential bid last October.