Colombia - October 2025

On 21 October, an appeals court overturned the conviction of former President Álvaro Uribe for bribery and witness tampering. The court cited ‘structural deficiencies’ in the original ruling, including insufficient evidence and procedural flaws. Uribe, who served as president from 2002 to 2010, had been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest in August for allegedly attempting to influence witnesses tied to paramilitary groups. The court's decision has elicited mixed reactions: supporters view it as a vindication of justice, while critics, including President Gustavo Petro, regard it as a setback for accountability and the rule of law. The victims in the case have announced that they will appeal the latest decision before Colombia’s Supreme Court, leaving the case unresolved. 

Sources: International IDEA, El Pais, AP News, Latin America Reports 

The government introduced a bill proposing a referendum on establishing a constituent assembly, marking the first step toward replacing the 1991 constitution. The proposed 71-member assembly, which would be entrusted with writing the new constitution, would include 44 elected delegates, ensuring gender parity. The remaining seats would be allocated to underrepresented groups such as Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, peasant farmers, and conflict victims. Though the proposal is expected to face significant opposition in Congress, proponents argue that the assembly is necessary to address deep-rooted systemic challenges that cannot be effectively tackled through ordinary constitutional amendment procedures. Among those challenges are land redistribution, political participation, social justice, environmental protection and the rights of marginalized groups. Unlike previous reform efforts, this approach aims to create a dedicated body tasked with drafting a new constitution.  

Sources: Ministerio de Justicia y del Derecho, Colombia Reports, El Tiempo