Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Sentenced to 12 Years House Arrest for Bribery and Witness Tampering
By Kamal yalwa August 2, 2025 In a historic ruling, a Colombian court has sentenced former President Álvaro Uribe to 12 years of house arrest on charges of fraud and witness tampering—making him the first former head of state in Colombia’s history to be criminally convicted. The 73-year-old, who governed Colombia from 2002 to 2010, was also barred from holding public office and fined $578,000 by the court. The decision marks a significant chapter in Colombia’s ongoing reckoning with political accountability. Uribe, once hailed as a hardliner against guerrilla insurgents and still widely respected in conservative political circles, denied all allegations, labeling the case a politically motivated attack aimed at silencing “a voice for the democratic opposition.” “I maintain my innocence,” Uribe said, confirming that he will appeal the ruling. Despite his legal troubles, Uribe remains a polarizing yet influential figure in Colombian politics, known for his tough stance on security and for founding the right-wing Democratic Center party. His attorney had requested bail while the appeal process was ongoing, but Judge Sandra Heredia rejected the request, citing the former president’s resources and political connections as potential risks. “It would be easy for the defendant to leave the country and evade the imposed sanction,” Judge Heredia said in court on Friday. The sentencing comes amid a wave of high-profile cases across Latin America involving former leaders facing corruption charges. Similar cases in Gabon and Myanmar have seen ex-leaders placed under house arrest, reflecting growing judicial assertiveness across the Global South.