Álvaro Uribe, the former president of Colombia, has been convicted of witness-tampering, marking him as the first ex-president in the country’s history to face such a charge. The ruling was handed down by a court in Bogotá which found the 73-year-old guilty of attempting to bribe witnesses in an ongoing investigation related to his alleged ties with right-wing paramilitary groups known for their human rights abuses.
Each charge against Uribe, who served as president from 2002 to 2010, carries a potential sentence of up to 12 years in prison. The former president has consistently denied the allegations, claiming innocence and expressing his intent to appeal the verdict while maintaining that he acted in good faith during the investigation process.
Notably recognized for his significant military offensive against the leftist guerilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), Uribe has been a polarizing figure, criticized for neglecting issues related to poverty and social inequality during his administration. The conviction comes after more than a decade tangled in allegations, beginning in 2012 when Uribe accused left-wing senator Ivan Cepeda of orchestrating a plot against him.
Instead of pursuing Cepeda, the Colombian Supreme Court has since examined Uribe’s alleged interactions with former fighters, wherein he purportedly sought to influence testimony in a manner tantamount to witness-tampering. Uribe claimed these interactions were aimed at urging the truth from the ex-fighters.
The case highlights Colombia's enduring struggles with violence, particularly linked to the paramilitary forces that emerged in the 1980s as a response to social issues. While Uribe's approach gained him support from the United States during his tenure, the reality of persistent violence and instability continues to haunt Colombia, despite the peace agreement signed with Farc in 2016.
Reactions have been swift, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemning the court's decision and alleging that the judiciary has been weaponized against Uribe. Meanwhile, supporters rallied outside the court, underscoring Uribe's lasting impact on Colombian politics and the ongoing debate surrounding his era and its fallout.
