Erico Galeano Denied Prison Transfer Request

Former Colorado senator Erico Galeano Segovia, who received a 13-year prison sentence for his ties to the A Ultranza drug trafficking network, has suffered a setback in his attempt to be transferred to the Viñas Cue military prison. A specialized court has confirmed his continued detention at the National Center for Detainees, formerly known as Tacumbú.

Galeano's defense team filed a legal motion seeking his relocation, citing his status as a former congressman and his high public profile as reasons for vulnerability within a large-scale penitentiary. They argued that the military prison at Viñas Cué would offer a more secure environment.

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The decision on the transfer of persons deprived of liberty constitutes an exclusive attribution of the Ministry of Justice, as the competent body of the Executive Power for the administration of the penitentiary system.

However, the specialized judge for Organized Crime, Economic Crimes, and Anti-Corruption, Carlos Mendoza, rejected the motion. The prosecution, represented by Execution Prosecutor Dominica Zayas, contended that decisions regarding inmate transfers fall under the exclusive purview of the Ministry of Justice, as per existing regulations and presidential decrees.

Judge Mendoza's ruling emphasized that Galeano must serve the 13-year sentence imposed by the Sentencing Court. The ruling also noted that the original Sentencing Court had specified the place of detention when Galeano was ordered to pre-trial detention on May 19, 2026. The court presided over by Pablino Barreto and including Inés Galarza and Juan Dávalos had revoked alternative measures and ordered Galeano's preventive custody, outlining the reasons for his confinement at that time.

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The former senator Erico Galeano Segovia must serve the 13-year prison sentence imposed upon him by Final Sentence No. 68 of March 4, 2026; and that the Sentencing Court itself indicated the place of confinement where the accused must serve preventive detention.