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Nationality Colombian — Politics / former presidential adviser

Sandra Liliana Ortiz Nova

Also known as: Sandra Ortiz

Updated on 12 November 2026

Former Colombian presidential regional adviser prosecuted in the UNGRD case.

Sandra Ortiz was charged and sent to trial for alleged money laundering and influence peddling in the UNGRD corruption investigation. She was initially detained in 2024 and released in May 2026. A judge rejected her recusal request on November 11, 2026, with further review pending. She denies wrongdoing.

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4Documented controversies

7Sources

0Conviction

§ Legal statuses reflect the documented sources as of the date shown; they replace neither court decisions nor the presumption of innocence. Counts are not a rating. Methodology

I. Documented controversies

Case · 3 documented stages

2026: released while proceedings continue

Formally charged

May 2026

2026: released while proceedings continue

Formally charged

On May 11, 2026, a judge granted Ortiz release after a defence motion related to the duration of the proceedings. This changed her custody status but did not end the criminal case. The UNGRD trial remained active.

State of the evidence: Release ruling reported by Noticias Caracol and corroborated by November trial coverage.
Legal status — source text: Released while criminal charges remain pending.
Attribution: Ongoing UNGRD prosecution; release is not an acquittal.

Sources · 2

[1]
Noticias CaracolSandra Ortiz, vinculada al escándalo de corrupción de la UNGRD, fue dejada en libertad11 May 2026MediaHigh reliability
[2]
El EspectadorNiegan recusación de Sandra Ortiz contra la jueza que preside su juicio por caso de la Ungrd11 November 2026MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 November 2026

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June 2025

2025: formally indicted for money laundering and influence peddling

Formally charged

On June 12, 2025, prosecutors formally accused Ortiz of money laundering and influence peddling in the UNGRD investigation. The allegations concern her supposed role in transferring funds to Iván Name. The case went to trial; no conviction was identified by the research date.

State of the evidence: The indictment was covered by El Espectador and revisited in November reporting.
Legal status — source text: Formal indictment; no criminal judgment located as of November 12, 2026.
Attribution: Alleged money laundering and influence peddling linked to the delivery of funds to Iván Name.

Sources · 2

[1]
El EspectadorFiscalía acusa a Sandra Ortiz por su presunta participación en saqueo a la Ungrd12 June 2025MediaHigh reliability
[2]
El EspectadorNiegan recusación de Sandra Ortiz contra la jueza que preside su juicio por caso de la Ungrd11 November 2026MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 November 2026

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November–December 2024

2024: pre-trial detention in UNGRD case

Formally charged

Prosecutors alleged Ortiz had helped transport COP 3 billion intended for former Senate president Iván Name as part of the UNGRD corruption case. A judge ordered pre-trial detention on December 18, 2024 over suspected money laundering and influence peddling. The later trial concerns the same underlying allegations.

State of the evidence: Detention ruling and allegations reported by W Radio and Cambio.
Legal status — source text: Criminal proceedings remained pending on November 12, 2026.
Attribution: Alleged involvement in delivering funds to Iván Name.

Sources · 2

[1]
W RadioJuez envió a la cárcel a Sandra Ortiz, exconsejera para las Regiones, por caso UNGRD18 December 2024MediaHigh reliability
[2]
CambioJuez envía a la cárcel a la exconsejera presidencial Sandra Ortiz18 December 2024MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 November 2026

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May 2026

2026: public allegations of pressure over testimony

Protagonist is the complainant

Protagonist is the complainant — these proceedings are not counted in their formal charges or convictions.

At a May 2026 hearing, Ortiz claimed prosecutors had pressured her to implicate government ministers or face detention. These pressure allegations have not been established by a court in the sources reviewed. They are separate from the criminal accusations against her.

State of the evidence: Ortiz’s statements reported by Blu Radio and El Espectador.
Legal status — source text: Public allegations of pressure, with no independent ruling identified.
Attribution: No pressure is attributed to Ortiz; she alleges misconduct by prosecutors.
Role of the person profiled: Protagonist is the complainant

Sources · 2

[1]
Blu RadioSandra Ortiz denuncia presiones de Fiscalía para acusar a ministros en caso UNGRD6 May 2026MediaHigh reliability
[2]
El EspectadorCaso Ungrd: Sandra Ortiz denuncia presiones de la Fiscalía para declarar contra ministros6 May 2026MediaHigh reliability

Last verified: 12 November 2026

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II. Constellation of documented links

No documented link with another published profile for now.

Two profiles are linked when a documented controversy of one names the other. The link points to that controversy and its sources; it does not indicate a personal relationship.

III. Has something changed?

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Controversia profile, updated 12 November 2026. Latest version: https://controversia.info/en/fiche/sandra-liliana-ortiz-nova