A court ruling has shaken Colombia’s political establishment: former President Álvaro Uribe has been convicted of tampering with witnesses. The Monday verdict underscores the increasing reach of the judiciary into previously untouchable ranks.
The origin of the case dates to 2012, when Uribe tried to discredit Senator Iván Cepeda by accusing him of manufacturing links between Uribe and armed groups. But the tables quickly turned when the Supreme Court scrutinized Uribe’s behavior.
Prosecutors argued that Uribe’s interactions with jailed paramilitaries constituted an attempt to corrupt the judicial process. One witness confirmed Uribe’s effort to influence testimony—prompting a full-scale trial with over 90 participants.
Now convicted, Uribe faces a prison term of up to 12 years. The ruling marks a fundamental shift in Colombian democracy, proving that even the most powerful are subject to the rule of law.