Day: September 11, 2025

Alvaro Uribe Seeks Senate Seat Amid Ongoing Legal Issues

Former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe, convicted in a high-profile bribery case, is once again pursuing a position in the Senate. His party, the right-wing Democratic Center, announced on Wednesday that Uribe will occupy the 25th spot on its 2026 candidate list—contingent on the resolution of his ongoing judicial troubles, reports 24brussels.

Party leader Gabriel Vallejo emphasized that the decision was Uribe’s personal choice, describing it as “an honor” despite the former president’s controversial past.

Uribe, who has faced longstanding accusations of links to paramilitary groups, made history as Colombia’s first ex-head of state to be criminally convicted. A judge found him guilty of bribery and procedural fraud, sentencing him to 12 years of house arrest and imposing an eight-year ban from holding public office.

The tweet references documents from the National Security Archive that indicate Uribe’s connections to paramilitary and narcotic traffickers were acknowledged by the United States, which chose to provide him protection. This, the tweet argues, facilitated the erosion of state integrity and the dispossession of the Colombian populace.

The controversy surrounding Uribe dates back to 2012 when he attempted to discredit left-wing senator Ivan Cepeda by alleged witness manipulation. However, an investigation by the Supreme Court revealed Uribe’s involvement in orchestrating witness tampering to conceal his ties to paramilitary organizations.

Despite his criminal conviction, Uribe remains undeterred in his political ambitions.

Colombia is poised for legislative elections on March 8, 2026, followed by the first round of presidential elections on May 31, with a potential runoff on June 21 if necessary.