Former Colombian President Uribe Found Guilty in Bribery and Abuse of Process Case
By Global Leaders Insights Team | Jul 29, 2025
In a historic ruling, former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe was convicted of abuse of process and bribing a public official on Monday, marking the first time a former Colombian president has faced a trial and conviction.
The decision, handed down by Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia after a nearly six-month trial, centers on a 13-year-old case involving witness tampering that has deeply divided the country. Uribe was cleared of a separate bribery charge.
The case began in 2012 when Uribe accused leftist Senator Ivan Cepeda of trying to tie him to paramilitary groups. In 2018, the Supreme Court found Cepeda’s actions lawful but uncovered evidence that Uribe and his allies pressured witnesses to change their statements.
- Alvaro Uribe Convicted in Landmark Bribery Case, First Former Colombian President Found Guilty
- Judge Convicts Ex-President Uribe of Witness Tampering and Abuse of Process After 13-Year Case
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Prosecutors claimed Uribe worked with a lawyer to sway former paramilitary members who alleged he created and funded a paramilitary group in the 1990s. After a 10-hour reading of her verdict, Judge Heredia stated, “Justice does not kneel before power.”
Uribe, 73, who led Colombia from 2002 to 2010, is a polarizing figure. Many credit him with weakening leftist rebels, but critics point to his alleged links to violent right-wing paramilitaries. Outside the courtroom, supporters wearing Uribe masks called the ruling politically motivated. His legal team, led by Jaime Granados and Jaime Lombana, pledged to appeal. Lawyer Juan Felipe Amaya called the verdict “unfair,” and Granados asked that Uribe remain free during the appeal, with a decision expected Friday.
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Each charge carries a potential 6- to 12-year sentence, though Uribe’s age might mean house arrest if the conviction stands. With Colombia’s 2026 presidential election approaching, the ruling could affect Uribe’s Democratic Center party. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the verdict, calling it an abuse of Colombia’s legal system. The case highlights ongoing tensions over accountability and justice in Colombia’s complex history of conflict.
