They announced the years he will be in prison.
News Colombia.
The Criminal Cassation Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice issued a historic decision by revoking the acquittal that had favored Santiago Uribe Vélez, brother of former president Álvaro Uribe. In the second instance, the high court declared the defendant criminally responsible for the crimes of aggravated homicide and aggravated conspiracy, in acts classified as crimes against humanity. The decision marks a turn in a case that lasted for years in the country’s judicial courts.
See: “This battle is not over”: victims’ defender will resort to the last resort in the process against Álvaro Uribe
According to the ruling, dated under the parameters of Law 600 of 2000, the Court determined that there were sufficient elements to frame Uribe Vélez’s conduct within a series of crimes, including aggravated homicide according to articles 103 and 104, paragraph 7, of the Penal Code. He also concluded his responsibility in conspiracy to commit an aggravated crime, contemplated in article 340, third paragraph. The decision annuls the acquittal ruling issued by the First Criminal Court of the Specialized Circuit of Antioquia in November 2024.
#ElReporteCoronell Breaking news: The landowner Santiago Uribe Vélez has just been convicted in the second instance for aggravated homicide, formation of paramilitary groups, conspiracy to commit a crime and conspiracy for crimes against humanity. This is the ruling of the Superior Court… pic.twitter.com/rPdSe1axvC
— Daniel Coronell (@DCoronell) November 25, 2025
As a result, the court imposed a sentence of 340 months in prison, equivalent to more than 28 years. In addition, he ordered a fine of 6,500 current monthly legal minimum wages, disqualification from exercising public rights and functions for 20 years and deprivation of carrying and possessing weapons for 54 months. Once the sentence is enforced, the respective arrest warrant will be issued to carry out the sentence.
The high court also denied the possibility of suspending the execution of the sentence or granting house arrest, considering the seriousness of the facts and the nature of the crimes for which he was found guilty. The ruling emphasizes that, in the case of conduct against humanity, stricter criteria are imposed regarding judicial benefits.
Additionally, the Court ordered copies to be certified to the Attorney General’s Office, specifically to the Asset Forfeiture Unit, so that the investigations derived from what is stated in the ruling can be carried out. It also sent documentation to the Ombudsman’s Office, in compliance with the paragraphs indicated in the decision, in order to guarantee the rights of the victims and the monitoring of the process.
With this resolution, the case of Santiago Uribe Vélez enters a new judicial stage that will have strong political and social repercussions. The conviction, associated with crimes against humanity, not only represents a relevant legal precedent, but also revives the national debate on the responsibility of different actors in the Colombian armed conflict and the role of justice in reparation for the victims.
Álvaro Uribe Vélez’s reaction to his brother’s conviction
Through his X account, former President Álvaro Uribe reacted to the conviction and wrote the following: «I feel deep pain for the sentence against my brother. God help us.”
It is worth remembering that former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez was acquitted in the second instance of the crimes of bribery of witnesses and procedural fraudafter the court determined that there was insufficient evidence to support the accusation against him. The decision, which closed one of the most high-profile processes in recent years, concluded that there were no elements that would allow criminal liability to be attributed to him for allegedly manipulating witnesses in the context of a judicial dispute with Senator Iván Cepeda.
You may be interested in:
