The conviction of 73-year-old Álvaro Uribe, the first former president of Colombia to face legal consequences for his actions, has stirred widespread reactions, including claims of political manipulation and a pending appeal.
Álvaro Uribe Sentenced to House Arrest: Historic Conviction of Colombia's Former President
Álvaro Uribe Sentenced to House Arrest: Historic Conviction of Colombia's Former President
Colombia's ex-president Álvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for witness tampering, marking a significant event in the nation's political history.
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Colombian ex-President Álvaro Uribe has received a 12-year house arrest sentence following his conviction for witness tampering and a fraud charge. At 73, Uribe becomes the first former head of state in Colombia to be found guilty of a crime, leading to his disqualification from public office and a hefty fine of $578,000 (£435,000).
Uribe, who has maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings, announced his intention to appeal the ruling, claiming that the charges were intended to "destroy a voice for the democratic opposition." He served as the president from 2002 to 2010 and continues to have a considerable following in Colombia, despite ongoing allegations regarding his collaboration with right-wing paramilitary groups aimed at dismantling leftist rebel factions.
The conviction, reached on Monday, culminated a witness-tampering case that has been in progress for nearly 13 years. Testimonies from two imprisoned former paramilitaries revealed that Uribe's ex-lawyer Diego Cadena allegedly attempted to bribe them into supporting Uribe's position. Cadena, who is also under scrutiny, rejects these claims and has testified on behalf of Uribe alongside other former paramilitary members.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently expressed his disapproval of Uribe's sentencing, labeling the Colombian justice system as being misused for political aims. Rubio stated on social media platform X that Uribe's "only crime" was his unwavering commitment to protect his country.
Emerging in the 1980s, paramilitary groups in Colombia claimed to address societal issues such as poverty, while in reality, they engaged in violent conflicts against Marxist guerrilla factions, which had already been at odds with the state for decades. The resultant clashes have led to long-standing rivalries fueled by drug trafficking and territorial battles.
Uribe's hardline stance against leftist Farc rebels earned him high praise from Washington, yet he remained a polarizing figure domestically, with critics arguing he overlooked the deep-rooted inequality and poverty afflicting Colombia. Though a peace agreement was signed with Uribe's successor in 2016, the aftermath has seen a rise in violence from disarmed factions still active in the country.
Colombian ex-President Álvaro Uribe has received a 12-year house arrest sentence following his conviction for witness tampering and a fraud charge. At 73, Uribe becomes the first former head of state in Colombia to be found guilty of a crime, leading to his disqualification from public office and a hefty fine of $578,000 (£435,000).
Uribe, who has maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings, announced his intention to appeal the ruling, claiming that the charges were intended to "destroy a voice for the democratic opposition." He served as the president from 2002 to 2010 and continues to have a considerable following in Colombia, despite ongoing allegations regarding his collaboration with right-wing paramilitary groups aimed at dismantling leftist rebel factions.
The conviction, reached on Monday, culminated a witness-tampering case that has been in progress for nearly 13 years. Testimonies from two imprisoned former paramilitaries revealed that Uribe's ex-lawyer Diego Cadena allegedly attempted to bribe them into supporting Uribe's position. Cadena, who is also under scrutiny, rejects these claims and has testified on behalf of Uribe alongside other former paramilitary members.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently expressed his disapproval of Uribe's sentencing, labeling the Colombian justice system as being misused for political aims. Rubio stated on social media platform X that Uribe's "only crime" was his unwavering commitment to protect his country.
Emerging in the 1980s, paramilitary groups in Colombia claimed to address societal issues such as poverty, while in reality, they engaged in violent conflicts against Marxist guerrilla factions, which had already been at odds with the state for decades. The resultant clashes have led to long-standing rivalries fueled by drug trafficking and territorial battles.
Uribe's hardline stance against leftist Farc rebels earned him high praise from Washington, yet he remained a polarizing figure domestically, with critics arguing he overlooked the deep-rooted inequality and poverty afflicting Colombia. Though a peace agreement was signed with Uribe's successor in 2016, the aftermath has seen a rise in violence from disarmed factions still active in the country.
