Álvaro Uribe, the former president of Colombia from 2002 to 2010, has made history as the first ex-president to be convicted of a crime in Colombia. This conviction comes from a court in Bogotá, which found Uribe guilty of witness-tampering and fraud related to an ongoing investigation into allegations connecting him to right-wing paramilitaries accused of human rights violations. Each count carries a potential sentence of up to 12 years in prison, although Uribe plans to appeal, maintaining his innocence throughout the process.
The 73-year-old politician has been a controversial figure, known for his vigorous offensive against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a leftist guerrilla group. While Uribe has constantly denied any associations with the paramilitary groups, he was implicated when the Colombian Supreme Court dismissed his accusations against left-wing senator Ivan Cepeda, stating that Uribe himself needed investigation for alleged witness bribery.
The case has attracted significant attention, with Uribe shaking his head in disbelief as the verdict was announced amidst a trial featuring over 90 witnesses. The ruling has elicited reactions, including a condemnation from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who criticized the judicial proceedings as politically motivated and expressed support for Uribe, claiming his actions were in defense of Colombia.
For context, paramilitary groups in Colombia emerged in the 1980s, fighting leftist guerrillas and often linked to drug trafficking. While Uribe received accolades from Washington for his aggressive approach to Farc, he remains a polarizing figure domestically, as critics argue that he did not effectively address the issues of poverty and inequality. The 2016 peace deal with Farc's successors continues to cast a shadow over Colombia, raising questions about the evolving landscape of violence linked to these disputes.
