Colombian political figure PP upholds the "unblemished" record of ex-President Uribe, asserting "an imposing legacy remains unaltered"
In a significant turn of events, former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez was sentenced to 12 years of house arrest on August 1, 2025, for procedural fraud and bribery of witnesses in criminal proceedings. The sentence, ordered by Judge Sandra Heredia, also includes a ban on Uribe from holding public office for eight years.
Uribe, who governed Colombia from 2002 to 2010 and remains a prominent figure in conservative politics, was found guilty of attempting to influence witnesses to testify in his favor during 2017-2018. The case dates back to 2012.
The ruling, from a lower court, marks the most significant recent legal case involving Uribe. His defense team plans to appeal the verdict, with the case moving to the Bogotá Superior Court, expected to issue a ruling by mid-October 2025 to avoid the statute of limitations. Uribe has maintained his innocence, describing the case as political persecution.
Politically, this sentencing represents a major development given Uribe's strong political network and legacy. As a polarizing figure in Colombia, Uribe is credited with helping propel two successors to the presidency. The ban on his holding office and house arrest sentence both impact his direct political activity moving forward.
The case has captivated Colombian public attention due to Uribe's controversial role in the country's political and security history, including allegations about links to paramilitary groups in the 1990s.
Meanwhile, political figures in Spain have shown their support for Uribe. Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo, the deputy spokesperson of the PP in Congress, expressed her "affection" for Uribe, stating that he rescued Colombia from drug trafficking, stood up to the FARC, restored the rule of law, and returned hope to Colombians. Álvarez de Toledo believes that Uribe's "impressive democratic legacy" cannot be erased.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo, the leader of the PP, has described Álvaro Uribe as an "honest man." Both Feijóo and Álvarez de Toledo have expressed their defense of Uribe through their own 'X' accounts.
In other news, Putin sees progress in dialogue with Ukraine but insists that his peace conditions remain unchanged. Russia has agreed with the US to avoid "direct military confrontation." Lukashenko advised Trump to act cautiously and stop threatening Russia with sanctions.
What about the appeal of the verdict against former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez for policy-and-legislation violations and politics-related crimes? As the ruling moves to the Bogotá Superior Court, general-news outlets and crime-and-justice experts eagerly await a ruling by mid-October 2025 to see if the statute of limitations will be upheld or not. Moreover, despite the sentencing and ban on Uribe from holding public office for eight years, his reputation and legacy, particularly among conservative politics and Spanish political figures, remain strong, with Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo and Alberto Núñez Feijóo expressing their support and defense for the controversial figure.
