Former Colombian President Convicted
A Colombian judge has found former President Alvaro Uribe Veles guilty of abuse of process and civil servant bribery in a trial that many, both locally and internationally, have criticized for its fairness. The verdict was delivered on Monday.
Uribe’s legal team, alongside his party, the Democratic Center, has indicated plans to appeal the decision to Colombia’s Supreme Court if necessary.
At 73, Uribe remains a notable figure in Colombia’s conservative landscape, having served two non-consecutive terms from 2002 to 2010. He was pivotal in changing the country’s constitution regarding presidential reelections in 2006, although this amendment was later revoked in 2015.
Since 2012, Uribe has faced a tangled series of legal challenges. He initiated a lawsuit against Ivan Sepeda, a leftist senator who, in turn, testified against Uribe, tying him to the formation of a paramilitary group allegedly associated with Uribe’s family ranch during the 1990s.
In 2018, Colombia’s Supreme Court dismissed Uribe’s claims against Sepeda and instead opened a new case against Uribe, accusing him of fraud and witness tampering. As part of the legal process, Uribe was under house arrest for a brief period in 2020.
On Monday, Judge Sandra Heredia convicted Uribe during a lengthy 10-hour court session, although he was acquitted of a separate bribery allegation. Prosecutor Marlene Orjura has suggested a lengthy ban from public office, along with a proposed nine-year prison term for Uribe.
The court is expected to release the detailed ruling on Friday, which will reportedly consist of about 1,000 pages. At the start of the hearing, Judge Heredia asserted, “Justice does not succumb to power. Justice does not regard name or position.”
Following the decision, Jaime Granados, one of Uribe’s lawyers, indicated that they would appeal within the five business days mandated by law. He mentioned the uncertainties surrounding the ruling and clarified that the presumption of innocence remains intact until the decision is finalized.
The Democratic Center issued a statement expressing solidarity with Uribe and his family. The party acknowledged the ruling but reiterated its intent to appeal in accordance with legal procedures.
In the statement, they emphasized that this is not a conclusive judgment. The legal appeal is pending, and Uribe maintains his presumed innocence as per constitutional rights, they added, expressing confidence in the former president’s eventual vindication.
On social media, Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked that Uribe’s only offense was “to protect his home,” criticizing what he described as the judicial system’s exploitation by radical judges. Similar sentiments were echoed by other U.S. and Colombian lawmakers, who came to Uribe’s defense.
This has drawn ire from political figures on Colombia’s far left, including President Gustavo Petro and his foreign minister, Yolanda Villaviencio. Villaviencio criticized Rubio’s comments, arguing that such interference undermines Colombia’s judicial independence. Petro added that the world must respect Colombian judges, many of whom have sacrificed their lives for justice.
Recently, reports have surfaced about U.S. congressional discussions highlighting potential violations of due process in Uribe’s case, which may influence future funding considerations for Colombia in the upcoming fiscal year.
