BOGOTA, Colombia — On Monday, former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe addressed a judge in Bogotá, denying allegations of bribery and witness tampering, marking a historic moment as the country witnesses its first criminal trial against a former president. Uribe expressed his intent to demonstrate that the accusations he faces are driven by political motives.
The charges originate from claims that Uribe tried to sway witnesses in a case initiated by leftist senator Iván Cepeda, who accused Uribe of maintaining ties to a paramilitary organization established by landowners in the 1990s to combat insurgents. This case traces back to 2012, when Uribe initiated a libel suit against Cepeda, prompting an investigation by the Supreme Court, which is responsible for examining allegations against elected officials. In an unexpected twist, the court not only dismissed the charges against Cepeda but also launched an inquiry into Uribe himself in 2018.
After Uribe stepped down from the Colombian senate, the ongoing legal proceedings were handed over to a different court. The inquiry into Uribe faced multiple delays, as prosecutors cited insufficient evidence. However, investigations have accelerated significantly under the current government of President Gustavo Petro, who took office in 2022. Uribe was officially charged in the previous year, leading to the commencement of his trial last week.
During his presidency from 2002 to 2010, Uribe enjoyed substantial backing from the United States. His administration was marked by significant military achievements against insurgent groups, notably forcing the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) into negotiations with the government, ultimately resulting in the disarmament of over 13,000 fighters in 2016. Despite his legal troubles, Uribe retains a large base of supporters and remains a prominent critic of the current administration led by Petro.
On the day of his court appearance, dozens of Uribe’s supporters gathered outside the courthouse, proudly waving Colombian flags and wearing masks that featured his likeness. “I felt it was my patriotic duty to stand here and support this great Colombian,” stated Jesús Vivas, a 67-year-old Uribe supporter, adding, “He rescued this nation when it was on the brink of collapse.”
Prosecutors have claimed that Uribe utilized a lawyer to meet with incarcerated former members of paramilitary factions, allegedly pressuring them to alter their testimonies previously given to Cepeda, who accused Uribe of orchestrating right-wing death squads. Uribe, however, refuted these allegations of witness manipulation, admitting that he sought interviews with former paramilitary members to “verify testimonies” pertinent to a separate trial involving his brother, Santiago Uribe.
Santiago was acquitted of murder charges last year and cleared of accusations regarding support for an armed group. If found guilty of witness tampering and bribery, Uribe could face up to 12 years in prison. However, it’s worth noting that the legal time frame for the initial charges, which were filed in 2018, is set to expire in October, leaving the court with only eight months to render a decision.
