Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Sentenced to 12 Years of House Arrest

Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest after being found guilty of procedural fraud and bribery in a landmark legal case. The decision, announced on Friday, includes a hefty fine exceeding 34 billion Colombian pesos (approximately 710,000 euros) and an eight-year disqualification from public service. This ruling marks a significant moment in what has been referred to as the 'trial of the century' in Colombia, a saga that has unfolded over more than a decade. Uribe, who served as president from 2002 to 2010, has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the protracted legal proceedings. His defense team has confirmed plans to appeal the sentence, indicating that the case is far from over. The controversy began in 2012 when Uribe accused Senator Iván Cepeda of orchestrating a campaign to present false testimonies against him, alleging that Cepeda had visited prisons nationwide to manipulate evidence surrounding paramilitarism in Antioquia. However, as the investigation progressed, evidence surfaced suggesting that Uribe's legal team may have attempted to influence witnesses to implicate Cepeda, leading to a dramatic role reversal in the case. Following these revelations, Cepeda shifted from being Uribe's accuser to his victim, while Uribe's status transformed from that of a plaintiff to a subject of investigation. The complexities of this case have captured national attention and will undoubtedly impact political discourse in Colombia for years to come. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2