Colombian Court Orders Release of Former President Pending Appeal

A court in Colombia has ordered the release of former president Alvaro Uribe as he appeals a 12-year house arrest sentence for witness tampering.

The ruling, delivered Tuesday by the Superior Court in Bogota, allows Uribe to move freely while his appeal is heard. Judges stressed that he does not pose a flight risk. The court has until October 16 to either uphold or overturn the conviction; failure to rule by that date would annul the case.

Uribe, 73, had been confined to his home in Rionegro since August 1. Earlier this month, he became the first ex-president in Colombia’s history to be convicted of a crime, receiving the longest possible sentence. Prosecutors accused him of urging right-wing paramilitaries to lie about their ties to him during a brutal campaign against leftist rebels.

Shortly after his release order, Uribe wrote on X: “Thanks to God, thanks to so many fellow Colombians for their expressions of solidarity. I will dedicate every minute of my freedom to the freedom of Colombia.”

Uribe, who served from 2002 to 2010, remains a dominant figure in Colombian conservative politics and retains strong ties with the United States. While in office, he waged a fierce military campaign against drug cartels and the FARC guerrilla army.

The case has polarized Colombia. Uribe argues that the trial was politically motivated, orchestrated by the left under President Gustavo Petro. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio also weighed in, describing the case as “the weaponization of Colombia’s judicial branch by radical judges.”

Petro, in response, condemned outside interference during a televised cabinet meeting. “I do not understand how Uribe is free,” he said. “Is that justice?”

Despite the legal battles, Uribe continues to top opinion polls as Colombia’s most admired politician.

The investigation began in 2018 and dragged through years of delays until Attorney General Luz Camargo, a Petro appointee, revived it. Over 90 witnesses testified, including an ex-paramilitary who claimed Uribe asked him to change his testimony.