Álvaro Uribe's Brother Surrenders to Serve 28-Year Sentence for Paramilitary Leadership

Santiago Uribe, brother of former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, has surrendered to police to begin serving a 28-year prison sentence for his role in leading a paramilitary group.

Convicted in November 2025 for leading the "Los 12 Apóstoles" squad in the 1990s, Santiago Uribe's sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court of Justice. This organization, active in the Antioquia department, is linked to numerous murders, including those of individuals accused of aiding guerrillas and common criminals.

Justice concluded that Santiago Uribe held a command position within the group, which comprised landowners, merchants, and members of the security forces. He was found guilty of participating in the murder of a bus driver suspected of rebel ties, as part of the far-right squads' terror campaign against insurgent groups, often in collaboration with military and police.

The former president, Álvaro Uribe, who led a military offensive against guerrillas during his terms (2002-2010), has himself faced accusations of paramilitary links, which he has consistently denied. He was previously sentenced to house arrest for attempting to bribe incarcerated paramilitaries to sever their association with him, a sentence later overturned by a Bogotá court.

This lengthy judicial process began following complaints filed with Congress by leftist senator Iván Cepeda, who is currently a presidential candidate. Álvaro Uribe has since declared his support for the right-wing opposition candidate.

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to comply with the arrest order