Álvaro Uribe Becomes First Colombian Ex-President Convicted of Criminal Charges. Image Credit: Getty Images
(The Post News)- Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has been convicted by a court in Bogotá on charges of witness tampering and bribery, marking a historic moment as the first criminal conviction of a former president in Colombia’s history.
The court ruling comes after a lengthy 13-year legal process that began with a political dispute in Congress between Uribe and Senator Iván Cepeda, a member of the current ruling party. During a heated debate, Cepeda raised allegations about Uribe’s alleged connections to right-wing paramilitary groups involved in Colombia’s decades-long internal conflict.
In response, Uribe accused Cepeda of fabricating evidence and attempting to manipulate testimonies from jailed former paramilitary members to implicate him. Uribe brought his accusations to Colombia’s Supreme Court of Justice, seeking legal action against the senator.
However, in 2018, the Supreme Court dismissed Uribe’s complaint, stating there was insufficient evidence against Cepeda. Instead, the court launched an investigation into Uribe for allegedly trying to bribe and coerce witnesses to discredit his political rival.
In 2020, the court ordered Uribe to be placed under house arrest. Following that, Uribe resigned from the Senate, which transferred his case to Colombia’s ordinary justice system. In May 2024, he was formally charged with bribery, procedural fraud, and witness manipulation.
Uribe, who served as Colombia’s president from 2002 to 2010, has denied all charges and insists the legal proceedings are politically motivated. He remains a leading critic of President Gustavo Petro’s government and a central figure in Colombia’s conservative opposition.
The conviction has sparked international reactions, particularly from (United StatesofAmerica) U.S. political figures who have raised concerns about the implications for judicial independence in Colombia. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio defended Uribe in a post on X (formerly Twitter), arguing that Uribe is being persecuted for his role in defending Colombia’s national security and stability. Rubio also warned that the case could affect U.S. financial support to Colombia.
Similarly, Senator Bernie Moreno criticized the Colombian government, urging it to stop what he called the “weaponization” of the judiciary against Uribe. Moreno cautioned that such actions could strain relations with the United States, which considers Colombia a key ally in Latin America.
As public debate continues, Uribe’s conviction represents a significant moment for Colombia’s legal and political landscape, raising critical questions about accountability, judicial integrity, and international relations.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/former-colombian-president-convicted-in-unprecedented-ruling/3644785#
Journalist-Kgopotso@thepostnews.net
About the Author
