On August 1, 2025, the 44th District Court of Bogotá upheld the 12-year sentence for former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez, after he was found guilty of bribery in criminal proceedings and procedural fraud.
After the ruling was read, Judge Sandra Heredia ordered house arrest, stating that none of the crimes individually exceeded an eight-year sentence.
He also explained the reasons for imposing the sentence on the former president. Among the most important reasons, he highlighted that the Attorney General's Office was able to determine that, through lawyer Diego Cadena, the leader of the Democratic Center committed the crime of bribery during the meetings with Juan Guillermo Monsalve, Carlos Enrique Vélez, alias Víctor, and Eurídice Cortés, alias Diana.
In response to the official's arguments, the former president asked defense attorney Jaime Granados to immediately appeal the first-instance conviction.
"I will exercise it orally today here at this hearing. It pertains only to the material defense that I am required to advance, and it has nothing to do with anything. It may affect the decision that Granados has expressed."
In turn, the former governor of Antioquia stated that the technical document to be submitted to the Colombian courts will be delivered by his defense within the timeframe established by law, and therefore asked the litigant to limit himself to supporting the appeal.
"The technical defense appeal to be exercised will be supported in writing within the terms of the law, for which he has also requested permission to provide reasons. Therefore, at the appropriate time, at this same hearing, I ask that you limit yourself to supporting the appeal as it relates to my material defense."
During the session, Judge Sandra Heredia and Álvaro Uribe Vélez, leader of the Democratic Center, engaged in an argument because the official raised the possibility that the former president's children had provided information about the ruling to the media. These comments came after Tomás Uribe posted his father's conviction on his social media.
The former governor of Antioquia immediately did not hesitate to defend his family."I strongly protest this treatment of my children. You have treated me in the worst way. I have respected you, but I do not accept that you interfere with my family."
Later, defense attorney Jaime Granados intervened, stating that Tomás and Jerónimo were not implicated in the leak of the ruling. Regarding Uribe Vélez's heated response, the judge maintained that at no point did he intend to disrespect the family members and therefore asked the former senator to remain calm while the proceedings against him proceed.
"Mr. Uribe, at no time have I interfered with your family, and I never will. Rest assured. I have always respected you as a person and for the honors you have received leading this nation. However, I just want to record what happened this morning."
Far from giving in to the demands, Heredia demanded that Uribe Vélez respect the right to speak and remain silent while she spoke.
“I ask you to be quiet. If you want to speak, I'll give you the floor. Also, for the record, here are the posts. I'm not lying. The posts are simply as they are. Therefore, I ask the authorities to investigate the facts.”
