The Government, supported by Decree 1070 of 2015, decided to withdraw the decorations from General Jesús Armando Arias Cabrales, sentenced to 35 years in prison for his involvement in the seizure and retaking of the Palace of Justice in 1985.
General (r) Jesús Armando Arias Cabrales, who served as commander of the XIII Brigade of the Army during the events at the Palace of Justice in 1985, was subject to the withdrawal of his decorations, an unprecedented measure that responds to his conviction for crimes intentional crimes related to the forced disappearance of people during the operation.
The man was convicted in 2011 by the 51st Criminal Court of the Bogotá Circuit and ratified in 2014 by the Superior Court of Bogotá. The Supreme Court of Justice, in 2019, confirmed the sentence, considering him co-author of the forced disappearance of five people during the military operation. The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) also excluded the general in 2023 for not fulfilling his obligations and not contributing to the truth.
The withdrawal is supported by Decree 1070 of 2015, and is a measure promoted by the Ministry of Justice, headed by Néstor Osuna. Helena Uran Bidegain, daughter of one of the victims, played a key role in formally requesting the revocation of the honors granted to the soldier.
Decree 0018 of 2024 details the loss of the right to use decorations, including the Distinguished Services in Public Order Medal (1985), the “Antonio Nariño” Order of Military Merit in the degree of Grand Cross (1986), the Order of Naval Merit “Almirante Padilla” in the rank of Grand Officer (1989), and the Air Force Cross of Aeronautical Merit in the rank of Grand Officer (1989).
This decision generated an exchange of messages on social networks between President Gustavo Petro and the senator for the Democratic Center, María Fernanda Cabal. The leader questioned the decision against the retired general, while the president defended the measure.
