Ana Manuela Ochoa Arias

Ana Manuela Ochoa Arias is a magistrate in Colombia's Jurisdicción Especial para la Paz (JEP), where she plays a crucial role in overseeing cases related to the country's armed conflict. Recently, she was in the news for her involvement in the historic sentencing of 12 retired military personnel for their participation in 'falsos positivos' – a term referring to extrajudicial killings presented as combat casualties. Ochoa emphasized the importance of prioritizing victims' experiences and expectations in the sentencing process, advocating for restorative actions rather than traditional imprisonment to promote community healing and dignity.