After the
Colombian first declaration of independence from
Spain on 20 July 1810, a number of independent States like
Tunja (1811),
Antioquia (1812),
Cartagena de Indias (1812) and
Cundinamarca (1812) were established. Each State had its own body in charge of the administration of justice. Later, when these States established the (
United Provinces of New Granada), on 23 September 1814, the '
(High Tribunal of Justice) was established. In 1819, the Republic of Colombia (the Gran Colombia) was born. A Court was created according to the provisions its Constitution of 30 August 1821, named ' (High Court of Justice). In 1830, the Gran Colombia was dissolved and the
Republic of New Granada was formed. As per the provisions of its Constitution of 29 February 1832, the (Supreme Court of Justice) was established. On 20 May 1853, it became the '
(Supreme Court of the Nation). In 1858, the Grenadine Confederation was founded. On adoption of its Constitution of 22 May 1858, the ' (Supreme Court) became the body in charge of the administration of justice. In 1863, the Grenadine Confederation was replaced by the '
(United States of Colombia). On adoption of its Constitution of 8 May 1863, the ' (Supreme Federal Court) was established. Finally, after the establishment of the '
(Republic of Colombia) and on adoption of its Constitution of 4 August 1886, the body was renamed as the present, the ' (Supreme Court of Justice) on 3 September 1886. Its first President was Rito Antonio Martínez. In 1985 in the
Palace of Justice siege, members of the
M-19 guerrilla group took over the Palace of Justice, and held the Supreme Court
hostage, intending to put
President Belisario Betancur on trial. Hours later, after a military raid, the incident left all the rebels and 11 of the 25 Supreme Court Justices dead. ==Current Judges==