Colombia Ex-President Uribe Gets 12-Year House Arrest for Tampering

Historic Conviction of Former Colombian Leader

Álvaro Uribe, Colombia's former president, has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for witness tampering and bribery. The conviction follows a lengthy trial that concluded on July 28, 2025.

Details of the Case

The 73-year-old conservative leader was found guilty of conspiring with a lawyer to influence testimony from three paramilitary group members. These individuals had previously provided evidence to leftist Senator Ivan Cepeda, who was investigating Uribe's connections to right-wing paramilitary organizations during his presidency (2002-2010).

Paramilitary Connections

The paramilitary groups in question protected wealthy landowners' interests while Uribe was in office. His administration was marked by aggressive military campaigns against leftist guerrillas like FARC and ELN, though human rights groups documented extensive civilian casualties during this period.

Political Significance

Uribe remains a polarizing figure in Colombian politics, maintaining strong support among conservatives despite leaving office in 2010. This conviction marks a significant moment in Colombia's judicial history as the first criminal sentencing of a former president.