The ex-President of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe, faced historic charges of bribery and witness tampering as he stood trial in the country’s first criminal case against a former president. Speaking in Bogota, Uribe vehemently denied the allegations, stating that he would prove they are politically motivated.
The accusations against Uribe stem from claims that he tried to influence witnesses in a case brought by leftist senator Iván Cepeda, who accused the conservative leader of having ties to a paramilitary group established by ranchers in the 1990s to combat rebel factions. The legal saga began in 2012 when Uribe sued Cepeda for libel, only for the Supreme Court to later dismiss the charges against Cepeda and initiate an investigation against Uribe in 2018.
After Uribe retired from the Colombian senate, the proceedings were transferred to another court. Although prosecutors initially delayed the investigation citing insufficient evidence, progress picked up under the administration of President Gustavo Petro, who assumed office in 2022. Uribe was formally charged last year, and his trial commenced the previous week.
As a staunch conservative, Uribe led Colombia from 2002 to 2010 with strong backing from the United States. His tenure witnessed significant military victories against rebel forces, particularly the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, which ultimately led to peace negotiations and the disarmament of thousands of fighters in 2016.
Despite the legal troubles, Uribe commands a sizable following in Colombia and remains a vocal critic of President Gustavo Petro. Outside the courthouse, dozens of supporters gathered, waving flags and sporting masks bearing Uribe’s likeness. One supporter, Jesús Vivas, expressed unwavering loyalty to Uribe, praising him for rescuing the nation from the brink of collapse.
Prosecutors have accused Uribe of enlisting a lawyer who interacted with incarcerated former paramilitary members, allegedly coercing them to alter their testimonies against Cepeda. However, Uribe refuted these claims, asserting that he merely sought interviews with ex-paramilitary personnel to verify testimonies relevant to his brother Santiago Uribe’s trial. Santiago was acquitted of murder charges last year and cleared of allegations that he supported an armed group.
If found guilty of witness tampering and bribery, Uribe could potentially face a sentence of up to 12 years in prison. However, the charges, initiated in 2018, are set to expire in October, giving the court a limited timeframe to reach a verdict.
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