Skip to main content
Menu Menu Close
Asia and the Pacific
Western Asia
Flag

Colombia

https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/

July 2025

Former president Alvaro Uribe convicted of witness tampering

On 28 July, former president Álvaro Uribe was found guilty of procedural fraud and witness tampering, becoming the first president in Colombia’s history to be convicted in a criminal court. The trial—one of the most high-profile in the country—stems from a 2012 investigation started by Senator Ivan Cepeda into Uribe’s links to paramilitarism. According to the ruling, Uribe, while a Senator, used intermediaries to pressure or bribe witnesses—such as imprisoned paramilitary leaders—into denying his personal and political links to paramilitary groups. Many experts have hailed the conviction as a victory for judicial independence and accountability, marking a watershed moment in a justice system often seen as shielding elites. On the other hand, Uribe’s supporters view it as a politically motivated trial. Uribe has announced plans to appeal. He was sentenced on 1 August to 12 years of house arrest, but later released by orders of the Superior Court of Bogotá until his sentence is reviewed.

Sources: International IDEANACLAThe GuardianRazon PublicaBBC

June 2025

Senator and presidential aspirant shot during political rally
Red flag

On 7 June, Senator and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay was shot in the head during a political rally in Bogotá, leaving him in critical condition. The alleged shooter—a 15-year-old suspected to be a paid hitman—was apprehended shortly after. Authorities have launched an investigation to identify the mastermind behind the attempted assassination. The government condemned the attack, calling it not only an assault on the integrity of a sitting senator but also a direct attack on democracy. It pledged to support a swift and thorough investigation. Additionally, the government announced that an inquiry is underway to determine whether there were failures in the senator’s security detail. The attack shocked the nation and revived fears of a return to the political violence that targeted politicians in the 1990s.

Update: On 11 August, Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay passed away after two months in intensive care at a hospital in Bogota due to the shooting. Authorities have arrested several individuals allegedly involved, and investigations are ongoing—including into the possible involvement of one of the country’s armed groups—though no formal charges have been filed yet. 

Sources: Presidencia ColombiaAP news, BBCLa Silla Vacia, New York Times

May 2025

Approval of new decree brings historical victory for Indigenous rights

On 5 May, President Petro approved Decree 488-2025, redefining the role of Indigenous communities in administering and making decisions about their territories. The decree formalizes Indigenous Territorial Entities (ETIs), a political-administrative division established in Colombia’s 1991 Constitution but long unregulated and ineffective. It allows communities to request the Ministry of the Interior to delimit and recognize their territories as ETIs, transferring key administrative and political rights. They will be able to veto infrastructure or extractive projects or activities based on a ‘cultural objection’ when authorities judge a threat to territorial, cultural or spiritual rights. ETIs will also gain access to public funds—such as royalties and General System of Participations transfers—allowing for autonomous budget management. Indigenous communities have welcomed the decree, and experts praised it as a historic victory for Colombia’s Indigenous peoples and a major step toward self-determination.

Sources: AP NewsEl Pais, MongabayFunción Pública Colombia

April 2025

‘Comuneros del Sur’ begins process of laying down arms

On 5 April, the armed group known as Comuneros del Sur—a dissident faction that split from the National Liberation Army (ELN) in 2024—began the process of laying down arms as a first step toward demobilization. Nearly 600 units of explosive material were handed over to the National Army, which destroyed them. Although the group is small, the beginning of disarmament is seen as key for the peace efforts in the Nariño region, which has been deeply affected by the armed conflict. The event marks an initial step in a longer process, with further agreements still needed—particularly regarding legal mechanisms to ensure victims' rights to truth and justice. During a meeting with representatives of Comuneros del Sur, President Petro announced investments in the region to support the peace process, including improvements in access to basic services, the beginning of demining operations, and the creation of a unit—partly made up of ex-combatants—to help locate victims of forced disappearance.

Sources: Insight CrimeLa Silla VaciaEl espectador, El Pais

See all event reports for this country

Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2024

Chevron
Representation
49/173
Rights
91/173
Rule of Law
79/173
Participation
84/173

Basic Information

Chevron
Population Tooltip
52 886 363
System of government
Presidential system
Head of government
President Gustavo Petro (since 2022)
Head of government party
Humane Colombia
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
List Proportional Representation
Women in lower or single chamber
29,4%
Women in upper chamber
31.4%
Last legislative election
2022
Effective number of political parties Tooltip
9.69
Head of state
President Gustavo Petro
Selection process for head of state
Direct election (two-round majority)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
07/11/2023
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
96.55%
Tooltip text

Human Rights Treaties

Chevron
State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
State Party
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
State Party
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
State Party
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
Regional Treaties
American Convention on Human Rights
State Party
Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
in
Tooltip text

Create your monthly alerts

and receive a customized selection of reports directly in your inbox

Sign up

Performance by category over the last 6 months

Representation neutral Representation
Mar 2025
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug 2025
Representation neutral Rights
Mar 2025
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug 2025
Representation neutral Rule of law
Mar 2025
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug 2025
Representation neutral Participation
Mar 2025
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug 2025

Global State of Democracy Indices

Hover over the trend lines to see the exact data points across the years

Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

Use the slider below to see how democratic performance has changed over time

0 10