Colombia’s Ex-President Alvaro Uribe Convicted in Historic Witness Tampering Case

Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe was convicted Monday of abuse of process and bribery in a landmark witness tampering case, becoming the first ex-leader in Colombia’s history to be found guilty at trial. The ruling was delivered by Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia, who spent nearly 10 hours reading the verdict, which also acquitted Uribe of a separate bribery charge.

Uribe, 73, who served as president from 2002 to 2010, has denied wrongdoing and plans to appeal the decision. The conviction stems from a 13-year investigation into allegations that Uribe and his allies pressured witnesses to discredit claims linking him to right-wing paramilitary groups. The court determined Uribe’s camp, rather than his political opponents, orchestrated the witness manipulation.

The verdict arrives less than a year before Colombia’s 2026 presidential election, where several of Uribe’s protégés are candidates. Supporters have framed the case as political persecution, while critics hail it as long-awaited accountability.

Each charge carries a possible six-to-12-year prison sentence. Judge Heredia is set to announce sentencing Friday and decide if Uribe will remain free during the appeal process. Due to his age, he may be eligible for house arrest.

Uribe’s trial has drawn global attention, including criticism from U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, who called the case “weaponization of Colombia’s judiciary.” The conviction may strain U.S.-Colombia relations, with some lawmakers threatening to review aid to the country.

Paramilitary groups tied to Colombia’s decades-long conflict were responsible for nearly half of the 450,000 deaths recorded by the country’s truth commission. Uribe, head of the Democratic Center party, has long claimed credit for demobilizing many of these groups, though allegations of ties to paramilitaries have shadowed his career for years.