Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe was sentenced to 12 years of house arrest on Monday following a conviction for bribing militia fighters to withdraw testimony that connected him to right-wing paramilitary groups. The ruling, delivered by a Bogotá court, marks a significant legal and political milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to address the legacy of its armed conflict. Uribe, who served as president from 2002 to 2010, was a central figure in the negotiation of the 2016 peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a process that was widely celebrated as a major step toward ending over five decades of violent conflict.
Under his leadership, Uribe implemented a strategy that focused on military action against left-wing guerrilla groups, which led to a period of relative stability in certain regions of the country. However, his time in office was also marked by allegations of ties to right-wing paramilitary groups, which he has consistently denied. The recent conviction for paying militia fighters to obstruct testimony represents the first time that a high-level figure from his administration has been directly linked to such accusations.
The ruling has sparked a range of reactions among political leaders and analysts. While some have criticized the decision as an overreach, others see it as a necessary step in ensuring accountability for actions that contributed to Colombia’s turbulent past. The case highlights the complex interplay between politics, law, and military history in a country still grappling with the aftermath of its civil war. Uribe’s sentence, while a personal loss, also serves as a reminder of the long-term consequences of actions taken during a time of intense conflict.