Ex-Colombian President Uribe Convicted in Shocking Trial Twist

In a historic decision that has sent shockwaves through Colombian politics, former President Álvaro Uribe has been convicted of witness tampering and bribery, making him the first ex-head of state in Colombia to be found guilty at trial.

Local media sources say the ruling was issued by Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia, who concluded there was sufficient evidence showing Uribe, now 73, conspired with a lawyer to manipulate testimony from ex-paramilitary prisoners.

The case revolves around a long-running legal battle that began in 2012.

Uribe initially filed a defamation complaint against Senator Iván Cepeda.

Cepeda is a left-wing lawmaker who had investigated Uribe’s alleged ties to paramilitary groups active during Colombia’s internal conflict in the 1990s.

However, in a surprising turn, Colombia’s Supreme Court dismissed the complaint against Cepeda and instead launched an investigation into Uribe in 2018.

According to Judge Heredia, Uribe and his legal team attempted to persuade three former paramilitaries, who were incarcerated at the time, to alter statements they had given to Cepeda.

These actions were seen as part of an effort to discredit Cepeda’s allegations and derail the inquiry into Uribe’s potential links to right-wing paramilitary violence.

Uribe now faces a possible 12-year prison sentence, though formal sentencing is scheduled for a separate hearing on Friday.

His legal team has announced plans to appeal the decision, insisting that the ruling is unjust and politically motivated.

Supporters argue that the case is part of a campaign of persecution against Uribe, who remains a dominant and polarizing figure in Colombian politics.

“This is just one phase of the process,” said Juan Felipe Amaya, one of Uribe’s attorneys.

“We respect the court’s decision, but we believe it is incorrect, and we will demonstrate that in the appeal.”

During the hearing, Uribe joined virtually alongside his lawyer Jaime Granados, while another lawyer, Jaime Lombana, appeared in court.

Granados argued for Uribe’s continued freedom throughout the appeal process, stressing the principle of presumed innocence.

Outside the courthouse, crowds of both supporters and critics gathered.

Some Uribe allies wore masks bearing his likeness, signaling loyalty to a man once regarded as a central figure in the country’s conservative movement.

Given Uribe’s age, even if the guilty verdict is upheld, he could be allowed to serve his sentence under house arrest rather than in prison.

Uribe previously spent two months under house arrest in 2020 during an earlier phase of the case.

The ruling has drawn international attention.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican with strong ties to Latin American affairs, criticized the verdict, accusing radical elements within Colombia’s judiciary of political bias.

“Uribe’s only crime has been defending his country,” Rubio posted on X, warning that the case could set a dangerous precedent.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, a leftist and political opponent of Uribe, supported the judiciary’s decision.

Writing on X, Petro emphasized that a strong and independent justice system is essential for the country to overcome its legacy of violence.

In response to Rubio, Petro asserted that Colombia’s sovereignty must be respected and criticized any foreign interference in the judicial process.

The conviction could also influence U.S.–Colombia relations.

The Bank of Bogotá cited concerns that Washington might retaliate through reductions in aid.

This is particularly due to a proposal from U.S. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart to cut non-military assistance over concerns about due process in Uribe’s trial.

Uribe, founder of the influential right-wing Democratic Centre party, has remained politically active even after his presidency.

It served as a senator both before and after his time in office from 2002 to 2010.

He has long denied links to paramilitaries and has pointed to his record of extraditing their leaders to the United States.

Nonetheless, Colombia’s Truth Commission has reported that paramilitary groups, many of which demobilized under Uribe’s administration, were responsible for over 205,000 deaths during the country’s internal armed conflict.

These groups, often supported by right-wing governments and sometimes backed by the U.S., were also implicated in severe human rights abuses, including mass displacement, sexual violence, and forced disappearances.

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