Colombia - July 2025

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 IDEA, NACLA, The Guardian, Razon Publica, BBC