The Colombian Supreme Court ratified a prison sentence for Santiago Uribe on June 4, 2026, for leading a paramilitary group [1, 4].

The ruling marks a significant legal milestone in Colombia's effort to hold high-profile figures accountable for paramilitary violence. Because the defendant is the brother of former President Álvaro Uribe, the case has drawn intense national scrutiny regarding the independence of the judiciary.

Santiago Uribe was convicted of conspiracy to commit crime, aggravated homicide, and related offenses [1, 2]. The court found that he led the paramilitary group known as “Los 12 Apóstoles,” which was responsible for multiple homicides and other crimes [1, 2].

According to court records, the final sentence ranges from 28 [1] to 28 years and three months [4] of imprisonment. The decision was reached by the Sala de Casación Penal in Bogotá, although two magistrates saved their votes during the process [2, 3].

Former President Álvaro Uribe said the ruling was "devastador" [5]. Meanwhile, lawyers representing Santiago Uribe said the decision was "una medida injusta" [6].

The timing of the announcement has also drawn attention. Some reports indicate the court issued the ruling during an electoral period to prevent the legal process from prescribing [7]. This urgency suggests that the window for judicial action was closing, necessitating a final decision before the statute of limitations expired.

The court's decision relied on evidence provided by the tribunal to confirm that the defendant's leadership role in the paramilitary structure was substantiated [2].

“The court ratified the sentence for leading the paramilitary group 'Los 12 Apóstoles'.”

This conviction reinforces the Colombian judiciary's willingness to prosecute the relatives of the country's most powerful political figures. By confirming the sentence for leading a paramilitary group, the Supreme Court signals that political connections do not grant immunity from charges of aggravated homicide and conspiracy, even as the country navigates a sensitive electoral period.