Colombia Judges Order Ex-President Uribe to Serve 12 Years under House Arrest
Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Convicted of Witness Tampering and Procedural Fraud
In a landmark ruling, former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe was found guilty of witness tampering and procedural fraud on July 28, 2025. Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia handed down the verdict, accusing Uribe of attempting to bribe imprisoned paramilitaries to provide false testimony against Senator Iván Cepeda.
The case dates back to 2014 when Uribe accused Cepeda of fraud and falsely claiming Uribe had ties to paramilitary groups responsible for serious human rights violations. However, in 2018, the Supreme Court dismissed the allegations against Cepeda and opened an investigation into Uribe for alleged coercion of witnesses.
Uribe resigned from the Senate in 2020 to shift jurisdiction to the Attorney General, who was seen as an ally. However, the Bogotá court's verdict emphasized that Cepeda's claims about Uribe's paramilitary links were valid and that Uribe had illegally tried to cover up his involvement. Uribe was acquitted of attempting to bribe a lawyer but found guilty of tampering with former paramilitary witnesses.
On August 1, 2025, Uribe was sentenced to 12 years of house arrest, banned from public office for eight years, and fined about $776,000. The judge denied Uribe's request to remain free during his appeal, citing flight risk. Uribe denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal, claiming political motivation behind the conviction.
The trial of Álvaro Uribe has been a significant event in Colombian politics, especially as it comes less than a year before the next presidential election in May 2026. As the head of the Centro Democratico party, Uribe exerts great influence over the Colombian right, which has been in opposition since the arrival of the country's first left-wing president, Gustavo Petro, in 2022.
The trial has seen many twists and turns throughout its duration, including the initial Supreme Court dismissal of charges against Cepeda alongside the investigation into Uribe, Uribe's strategic resignation to change jurisdiction, and the court ruling effectively confirming paramilitary connections Cepeda accused Uribe of. The case highlights the complex intersection of politics, paramilitary violence, and justice in Colombia's recent history.
[1] "Uribe, the first ex-head of state in Colombia to be convicted and lose his freedom," Semana, August 2, 2025. [2] "Uribe Sentenced to House Arrest for Witness Tampering," Colombia Reports, August 2, 2025. [3] "Uribe Found Guilty of Witness Tampering in Colombia," BBC News, July 28, 2025. [4] "Uribe's House Arrest Sentence Divides Colombia," The Guardian, August 2, 2025.
In the aftermath of his conviction, the struggle for political influence becomes more intense as [Álvaro Uribe], the first ex-Colombian President to be sentenced for witness tampering, begins his 12-year house arrest. [The trial] has been a pivotal moment in policy-and-legislation, with significant implications for crime-and-justice and general-news, illuminating the complex interplay between politics, paramilitary violence, and justice in Colombia's recent history. [The case] underscores the importance of upholding honesty and the rule of law in public office, emphasizing the consequences of attempting to circumvent judicial processes.
