Historic House Arrest: Colombian Political Turmoil as Ex-President Uribe Sentenced

In a landmark decision, former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest, marking the first conviction of a former head of state in Colombia. The charges against Uribe, as reported by Al Jazeera, include witness-tampering and bribery.

The ruling was delivered by Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia, who ordered Uribe to remain in his Rionegro residence in Antioquia, also imposing a fine of $578,000 and a ban from public office. Uribe's legal team has vowed to appeal this verdict, which follows a prolonged judicial process that has become deeply embroiled in Colombia's historical internal conflict.

This decision resonates beyond Colombia's borders, drawing mixed reactions in the United States. Senator Marco Rubio defended Uribe on social media, criticizing what he terms as the 'weaponization' of Colombia's judiciary. Conversely, Congressman Jim McGovern rebuked Rubio's comments, underscoring the importance of judicial accountability.

(With inputs from agencies.)