In a historic verdict, Álvaro Uribe, former president of Colombia, has been convicted of witness-tampering, making him the first ex-leader in the nation's history to be found guilty of a crime. The Bogotá court ruled against the 73-year-old, who served from 2002 to 2010, for trying to bribe witnesses involved in a separate investigation concerning his suspected connections with right-wing paramilitary groups implicated in numerous human rights abuses.
Uribe faces charges that each carry a potential sentence of up to 12 years in prison. He has consistently proclaimed his innocence and intends to appeal the ruling. During his presidency, he was recognized for implementing a rigorous military campaign against leftist guerrilla fighters, particularly the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), while vehemently denying any affiliations with paramilitary organizations.
As the verdict was read, Uribe reportedly shook his head, a reaction that underscores the emotional weight of the trial, which included testimonies from over 90 witnesses. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the court's decision, suggesting that the judicial system in Colombia has been manipulated against Uribe, asserting that he has merely fought for his country.
This legal battle has been ongoing for over a decade since Uribe was first accused in 2012 of attempting to discredit leftist senator Ivan Cepeda, whom he claimed was orchestrating a conspiracy to link him to paramilitary factions. Rather than validating Uribe's claims, the Supreme Court directed its investigation toward Uribe himself, uncovering allegations of witness tampering through contacts with imprisoned former fighters.
Paramilitary groups emerged in Colombia during the 1980s, aimed at countering the poverty and marginalization attributed to leftist guerrilla movements. These groups, which have since become intertwined with the drug trade, created a cycle of violent conflict that still impacts the country today.
Although Uribe received praise from the U.S. for his firm stance against Farc, he remains a polarizing figure in Colombia, drawing criticism for failing to alleviate poverty and inequality. The peace agreement signed between Farc and Uribe's successor in 2016 marked a significant shift, yet Colombia continues to grapple with violence linked to disarmed factions and ongoing tensions.
