Former Colombian president Álvaro Uribe has made headlines for becoming the first ex-leader in Colombia to be convicted of a crime. A court in Bogotá found Uribe, who served from 2002 to 2010, guilty of witness-tampering and fraud related to his attempts to bribe key witnesses in an ongoing investigation. This inquiry involves allegations that he had connections with right-wing paramilitary groups known for their human rights abuses.
Each conviction could lead to a hefty sentence of up to 12 years behind bars. Uribe, now 73, has always defended his innocence and plans to appeal the court's decision. He is well-known for his tough stance against the leftist guerrilla group, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), during his presidency, while vehemently denying any ties to paramilitary factions.
The court's ruling comes after over a decade of legal battles, stemming from Uribe’s initial accusations against left-wing senator Ivan Cepeda in 2012. Uribe claimed Cepeda was attempting to fabricate evidence against him. Instead, the Supreme Court turned the investigation on Uribe himself, leading to allegations of witness tampering involving contacting jailed former fighters.
Supporters of Uribe have rallied outside the court, while political figures like U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have criticized the judiciary's actions, suggesting they have been politicized against Uribe, who is seen by many as a defender of Colombia's sovereignty. Despite the tumultuous history, Colombia continues to deal with the aftermath of armed conflict and aims for stability, following a peace agreement signed with Farc in 2016.
