Former Colombian President Sentenced to 12 Years of House Arrest

Bogotá — In a major legal development, former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest after being found guilty in a case involving witness tampering and fraud.

The court ruled that Uribe, who served as Colombia’s President from 2002 to 2010, attempted to manipulate witnesses in order to discredit allegations linking him to paramilitary groups during his time in power.

This historic judgment marks the first time a Colombian ex-president has been convicted in a criminal case. The legal proceedings began several years ago, with evidence suggesting that Uribe tried to interfere with testimonies by offering benefits or threats to witnesses.

The court opted for house arrest instead of jail time due to Uribe’s age and health condition. However, the sentence still carries significant political and legal weight in the country.

Uribe has denied all charges and is expected to appeal the decision, maintaining that the case is politically motivated.

The ruling has sparked mixed reactions across Colombia—some praising the judiciary for holding powerful figures accountable, while others see it as a controversial and divisive moment in Colombian politics.