Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe denied charges of bribery and witness tampering Monday in a historic trial, marking the first time a former president has faced criminal prosecution in the country.
Speaking before a judge in Bogotá, Uribe dismissed the accusations as politically motivated.
The charges stem from allegations that Uribe attempted to manipulate witnesses in a case initiated by leftist Senator Iván Cepeda. Cepeda accused the conservative leader of having ties to paramilitary groups formed in the 1990s to combat leftist rebels.
Uribe originally filed a libel lawsuit against Cepeda in 2012 with the Supreme Court, which handles investigations into elected officials. However, in a dramatic twist, the court dismissed the case against Cepeda and instead launched an investigation into Uribe in 2018.
Following Uribe’s retirement from the Senate, the case was transferred to a lower court. Prosecutors initially hesitated to file formal charges, citing a lack of evidence, but proceedings gained momentum after President Gustavo Petro, a leftist leader, took office in 2022.
Uribe was officially charged in 2023, and his trial began last week.
Uribe, who served as Colombia’s president from 2002 to 2010, remains a polarizing figure. His administration, backed by the U.S., achieved major military victories against rebel groups, pushing the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) into remote areas and paving the way for a 2016 peace deal that led to the disarmament of over 13,000 fighters.
Despite the charges, Uribe commands strong support among Colombians, particularly conservatives. Dozens of supporters gathered outside the courthouse Monday, waving Colombian flags and wearing masks depicting his face.
“It was my patriotic duty to come here and support this great Colombian,” said Jesús Vivas, a 67-year-old supporter. “He saved this country when it was about to collapse.”
Prosecutors allege that Uribe hired a lawyer who met with imprisoned former paramilitary members, pressuring them to alter testimony they had given to Cepeda.
Uribe denied witness tampering but admitted reaching out to former paramilitary members to verify testimony also used in the trial of his brother, Santiago Uribe. Santiago was acquitted last year of murder and paramilitary support charges.
If convicted, Uribe could face up to 12 years in prison. However, the case has a statute of limitations set to expire in October, giving the court just eight months to issue a verdict.
