Álvaro Uribe, Colombia's first ex-president convicted of a crime, has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for witness tampering and fraud. Uribe, who has maintained his innocence, plans to appeal the court’s decision while facing widespread mixed reactions.
Colombia's Álvaro Uribe Sentenced to House Arrest in Historic Ruling
Colombia's Álvaro Uribe Sentenced to House Arrest in Historic Ruling
The former president faces 12 years of house arrest for witness tampering, marking a significant moment in Colombia’s political history.
Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has been handed a 12-year house arrest sentence for charges involving witness tampering and fraud, becoming the first former leader in Colombia's history to receive such a conviction. The 73-year-old, who served from 2002 to 2010, has been pressed with allegations but has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting he plans to appeal the ruling in a Bogotá court.
Uribe's conviction, which also includes a hefty fine of $578,000 (£435,000) and a disqualification from holding public office, has sparked significant debate across the political landscape of Colombia. Supporters have rallied in his defense, arguing that the case is politically motivated and aimed at silencing a prominent figure in the democratic opposition.
The trial stems from accusations that Uribe’s former lawyer, Diego Cadena, attempted to bribe two imprisoned ex-paramilitaries, offering them money to produce favorable testimonies for Uribe. While Cadena denies these allegations and has appeared in court to testify in Uribe's defense, the narrative surrounding his involvement adds complexity to the case.
Reactions to Uribe's sentencing have been polarized. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly criticized the Colombian judiciary, claiming it had been manipulated against Uribe, a statement that underscores the ongoing geopolitical implications of Colombia’s internal conflicts.
Uribe's political tenure was characterized by a hardline stance against leftist groups like the Farc, garnered praise from the U.S., yet remained controversial due to ongoing issues of poverty and inequality in Colombia. Though a peace deal was reached with Farc in 2016, violence associated with disbanded groups continues to pose significant challenges in the region, further complicating Uribe's legacy.
