Full Breakdown
Santiago Uribe Sentenced for Paramilitary Crimes
11/26/2025, 11:13:52 PM
Overview of the Conviction
Santiago Uribe Vélez, the brother of former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez, has been sentenced to 28 years and three months in prison for his involvement in the paramilitary group known as The 12 Apostles. The Antioquia High Court found him guilty of aggravated homicide and conspiracy to commit a crime, attributing to him the formation and leadership of this illegal armed group during the early 1990s. The court's ruling detailed that under Uribe's leadership, the group executed a systematic plan to murder individuals deemed undesirable, including suspected leftist sympathizers and marginalized individuals.
Background of The 12 Apostles
The 12 Apostles was established in the early 1990s in response to threats from leftist guerrillas, particularly the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The group was linked to over 500 homicides and was notorious for its violent tactics, which included forced disappearances and social cleansing operations. Santiago Uribe's cattle ranch, Hacienda La Carolina, served as a base for the group's activities, including meetings and training sessions.
Legal Proceedings and Appeals
The conviction comes after a protracted legal battle that began with investigations into Santiago Uribe's activities in the late 1990s. Initial inquiries were halted in 1999 due to insufficient evidence but were revived in 2010. A lower court had previously acquitted Uribe in 2020, but this ruling was overturned by the Antioquia High Court. Santiago Uribe's defense team has announced plans to appeal the decision to Colombia's Supreme Court.
Official Statements & Responses
Álvaro Uribe expressed his profound pain regarding his brother's conviction, stating on social media, “I feel deep pain over the conviction of my brother. May God help him.” Critics, including leftist Senator Iván Cepeda, welcomed the ruling as a significant step towards accountability for human rights abuses in Colombia, highlighting the deep-rooted connections between paramilitary groups and political power structures.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the conviction, Santiago Uribe and his brother have consistently denied any ties to paramilitary organizations. Critics of the Uribe family argue that their political influence has historically obstructed justice in cases involving human rights violations. The ruling has reignited discussions about the legacy of paramilitarism in Colombia and the need for thorough investigations into high-profile figures associated with these groups.
What's Next
The case will now proceed to the Supreme Court, where Santiago Uribe's defense will seek to overturn the conviction. This legal battle is part of a broader context of ongoing investigations into the Uribe family's alleged connections to paramilitary violence during Colombia's civil conflict. As the political landscape evolves, the implications of this case may influence future elections and the ongoing discourse surrounding human rights in Colombia.
