The court of Colombia sentenced on Friday (01) former President Álvaro Uribe to 12 years in prison for crimes of procedural fraud and bribe in criminal action. The decision refers to a manipulation judgment of witnesses that has been extending for almost 13 years. Uribe became the first ex-president condemned in the country’s history.
The sentence, determined by Bogota’s 44th Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia, also imposed a fine of $ 578,000 and stated that the former president cannot perform public functions. Despite trying to influence witnesses through third parties, Álvaro Uribe was acquitted of the accusation of simple bribe.
During the trial, the Colombian leader declared himself innocent and his defense announced that he will appeal the decision to the Bogotá Superior Court. Supporters of the politician claim persecution, while his opponents demand justice.
Criminal case
The trial against Álvaro Uribe began in 2012, when the politician accused the left senator Iván Cepeda of organizing a plot to connect him to paramilitary groups. In 2018, the Supreme Court of Colombia concluded that Cepeda acted according to her parliamentary function and that Uribe tried to influence witnesses through third parties. The former president even served house arrest for two months in 2020, on suspicion of obstruction of justice.
During his government – which lasted two consecutive terms between 2002 and 2010 – Uribe promoted a military offensive against leftist guerrillas in the Colombian armed conflict that left more than 450,000 dead in 60 years.
A Truth Commission pointed out that paramilitary groups, mostly demobilized in 2005 because of an agreement with Álvaro Uribe, were responsible for at least 205,000 murders. Illegal squads emerged in the 1980s, funded by farmers, landowners and entrepreneurs to protect themselves from guerrilla attacks.
International repercussion
The condemnation takes place on the eve of the beginning of the 2026 election campaigns, which will elect the Colombian Congress and the successor of the current president, Gustavo Petro. Allies of Álvaro Uribe, who founded the right -wing party Democratic Center, should compete for positions as leading opponents of the Petro government.
The former president’s conviction can also impact relations with the United States, Colombia’s largest commercial partner and ally in the fight against drug trafficking. The American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, criticized the sentence, while Gustavo Petro defended the independence of the national judiciary. Analysts warned of possible cuts in US help to the country.
Beatriz Hadler under the supervision of Thiago San.
