Historic Conviction: Colombia's Ex-President Alvaro Uribe Sentenced

Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has been handed a 12-year house arrest sentence for abuse of process and bribery of a public official. The landmark conviction by Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia concludes a 13-year witness-tampering case against Uribe, who has persistently maintained his innocence. The ruling, which includes a $578,000 fine and an eight-year ban from public office, could have significant implications ahead of Colombia's 2026 presidential elections.

Uribe, a pivotal figure in Colombia's political landscape and head of the Democratic Center party, plans to appeal the decision. His legal team reports he is required to report to authorities in Rionegro, where he will commence his house arrest. The conviction marks the first time a Colombian ex-president has been found guilty at trial, a move that could affect the nation's relationship with the United States.

The allegations stem from claims by leftist Senator Ivan Cepeda, who gathered testimonies from former paramilitaries accusing Uribe of bribing witnesses to discredit such claims. The conviction is expected to reverberate throughout Latin America, adding Uribe to a list of notable former leaders facing legal troubles, including Peru's Alberto Fujimori and Brazil's Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

(With inputs from agencies.)