Colombia's landmark legal case has resulted in 12 years of house arrest for former President Álvaro Uribe, who stands as the first ex-leader in Colombian history to be found guilty of a crime. The 73-year-old politician received this sentence for charges of witness tampering and fraud, and he has been fined $578,000 and barred from holding public office. Uribe, who was in power from 2002 to 2010, insists on his innocence and claims his conviction is an attempt to undermine his role in the opposition.
The case revolves around allegations that Uribe's former lawyer, Diego Cadena, offered money to imprisoned ex-paramilitaries for favorable testimonies. While Cadena denies these allegations and has testified on Uribe's behalf, the trial has continued for over 13 years. A group of Uribe supporters rallied outside the court in Bogotá, reiterating their faith in his political legacy, despite the controversial nature of his past collaborations with paramilitary groups.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the conviction, arguing that Colombia's judicial system has been weaponized against political opponents, while highlighting Uribe's commitment to the nation. Since the emergence of paramilitary groups in Colombia during the 1980s, the conflict over land, resources, and drug trafficking has created longstanding tensions. Critics of Uribe credit him with intensifying the violence against left-wing factions, while supporters argue that his tough stance against the FARC rebels was crucial to national security.
Though FARC signed a peace deal with Uribe's successor in 2016, violence remains rampant, fueled by splinter factions. As Uribe's supporters hope for his vindication, the former president prepares for the appeals process while his legacy continues to spark debate across generations in Colombia.
