Colombia probes ex-president Uribe over 1990s paramilitary massacres: justice or political payback?

Published Jun 20, 2026 · 13:00 GMT

Colombia's attorney general opened a formal investigation into former President Álvaro Uribe for alleged links to paramilitary creation and two massacres — La Granja and El Aro — in Antioquia during the 1990s when he was governor. Uribe, president 2002–2010, calls it politically motivated; prosecutors say the probe follows fresh testimonies about the Guacharacas ranch.

The summary above is a neutral framing. Below, each side reports the same story in its own words — judge for yourself.

Prosecutors / victims

Colombia's attorney general summoned Uribe for questioning over three alleged crimes: the La Granja massacre (June 1996, Ituango), the El Aro massacre (October 1997), and the murder of human rights defender Jesús María Valle — all linked to paramilitary activity on the Guacharacas ranch during his governorship.

Uribe / defense

Uribe dismissed the probe as 'clear political pressure and injustice,' claiming it was launched 'just hours before elections' and alleging ties between the chief prosecutor and political opponents. His legal team insists 'no evidence exists proving his involvement in criminal activities' and he was not heard before the case was opened.

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