Sunday, August 3, 2025 - Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest after being found guilty of procedural fraud and witness bribery, making him the first former president in the country’s history to face a criminal conviction.
The ruling was delivered by Judge Sandra Heredia of Bogotá’s
44th Criminal Court on Friday, four days after she declared Uribe guilty of the
charges. He was acquitted on a separate count of allegedly bribing a
prosecutor.
Uribe, 73, who served as president from 2002 to 2010, has
denied any wrongdoing. His defense has announced plans to appeal the verdict.
The case stems from a legal battle that began in 2012 when
Uribe accused Senator Iván Cepeda of attempting to link him to the creation of
a paramilitary group. Cepeda denied the accusation. In a twist, the Colombian
Supreme Court launched an investigation in 2018 into Uribe for alleged witness
tampering.
After years of legal proceedings, the Colombian Prosecutor’s
Office formally charged Uribe in May 2024 with procedural fraud, bribery in
criminal proceedings, and bribery. His trial lasted 67 days before concluding
this week.
Uribe’s claims of innocence were echoed by political allies,
including former President Iván Duque and other members of the opposition.
Meanwhile, figures aligned with the current government hailed the ruling as a
victory for justice
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