Bogotá, Colombia — Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest after being convicted on charges of witness tampering and fraud. The ruling marks a historic moment, making Uribe the first former president in Colombia’s history to be convicted of a criminal offense.
The 73-year-old was also barred from holding public office and fined $578,000 (£435,000). Despite the verdict, Uribe maintains his innocence and plans to appeal the decision, claiming the case was politically motivated to silence his opposition voice.
Uribe, who served as president from 2002 to 2010, was found guilty in a case that has stretched over 13 years. The court found that his former lawyer, Diego Cadena, offered payments to imprisoned ex-paramilitaries in exchange for favorable testimony. Cadena denies wrongdoing and is also facing charges.
The ruling has drawn international attention. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Colombia’s judiciary, suggesting it has been “weaponized” against Uribe. Rubio called Uribe a patriot who has “tirelessly fought for his homeland.”
Uribe remains a polarizing figure. Hailed by Washington for his firm stance against the left-wing FARC rebels, he has long faced accusations of collaborating with right-wing paramilitary groups during Colombia’s internal conflict—claims he continues to reject.
The FARC signed a peace deal in 2016, yet violence from splintered armed groups continues to affect the country.
Small groups of Uribe’s supporters gathered outside the court in Bogotá, echoing the former president’s claims of political persecution.
