Political situation in Colombia

The verdict risks further politicizing Colombia

The verdict against former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe risks further politicizing the country. This is what Yolanda Ruiz writes in El Pais.

His supporters and opponents already had a verdict before the first evidence was presented and therefore the “important thing now is to defend the autonomy of the judiciary,” she writes.

Several representatives from Uribe’s party have rejected the verdict and claimed that the Colombian legal system is politicized. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also commented.

“Uribe’s only crime is that he tirelessly fought and defended his homeland,” he writes in a post on X.

At the same time, the left has expressed its support for the legal system.

“Today is a day to recognize the legal system as the guarantor of democracy,” said Senator Iván Cepeda, who led the trial against the former president.

Uribe is convicted of bribery and witness tampering. His sentence is expected to be announced on Friday.

Former Colombian president convicted of bribery

Former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe has been convicted of bribery and witness tampering, several international media outlets report.

Uribe, who led the country between 2002 and 2010, fought against leftist guerrillas who controlled parts of the country. He has been accused of having connections to right-wing paramilitary groups. The charges include bribing imprisoned militia members to withdraw their testimonies about him.

The verdict makes Uribe the first Colombian ex-president to be convicted. However, he has not yet been sentenced, but faces between six and twelve years in prison.
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