Former Colombian President Found Guilty Of Bribery And Witness Tampering

A Bogotá court has convicted former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe on charges of bribery and witness tampering, making him the first ex-head of state in the country’s history to face such a ruling.

Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia delivered the verdict, concluding that Uribe unlawfully influenced detained paramilitaries to retract testimony they had given to Senator Iván Cepeda.

The case dates back to 2012, when Uribe sued Cepeda for libel after the senator alleged the former president had links to paramilitary groups during the 1990s. The Supreme Court later dismissed the claim against Cepeda and instead launched an investigation into Uribe in 2018. Prosecutors accused him of orchestrating false testimony in an attempt to defend himself.

Judge Heredia found him guilty of abuse of process and bribery in criminal proceedings. Both charges carry a potential sentence of six to twelve years in prison, although due to Uribe’s age, house arrest is more likely. A sentencing date has not yet been set, and his legal team has vowed to appeal.

The ruling has sparked divided reactions across Colombia and abroad. Supporters of the verdict view it as a milestone for judicial independence and accountability, while critics argue that the case is politically driven.