Uribe Convicted of Witness Tampering, Acquitted of Bribery

Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has been convicted of witness tampering and one count of bribery, becoming the first ex-head of state in Colombia to be found guilty of a crime, while being acquitted on a separate bribery charge. The court found that Uribe and his associates pressured imprisoned former paramilitaries to alter their testimony regarding his alleged links to illegal armed groups, with evidence including intercepted communications and covert recordings. The case originated from accusations involving left-wing Senator Iván Cepeda and has spanned more than a decade. Judge Sandra Heredia ruled there was sufficient evidence for conviction, while Uribe, a polarizing political figure, continues to deny all wrongdoing and claims the case is politically motivated. The verdict comes ahead of Colombia’s 2026 presidential election and has sharply divided public opinion. Sentencing is pending as Uribe is expected to appeal the decision.