US Lawmakers Reject Conviction Against Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe

U.S. Congress members used social media to express their rejection of a judge’s ruling on July 28 against former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe, 73, following litigation related to an investigation into alleged witness tampering.

Judge Sandra Heredia, of the 44th Criminal Circuit of Bogotá, found Uribe guilty of bribery in a criminal proceeding and procedural fraud. Each charge carries a prison sentence of between six and 12 years in prison, and his sentencing is expected on Aug. 1.

The former president was in office from 2002 to 2010.

Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) described the ruling as political persecution against the former president and compared the situation in Colombia to that of Venezuela.

“A disgrace has been committed against Álvaro Uribe, the man who rescued the country from terrorism and confronted the FARC [terrorist group] when no one else dared,” Salazar said in a July 28 post on X.

“They are condemning him because he refused to make a pact with criminals, because he is an obstacle to the radical left that wants to seize power and turn Colombia into another Venezuela.

“It’s the same Castro-Chavista script: political persecution against anyone who opposes their radical agendas. From the United States, we raise our voices: Uribe is not alone! Decent and freedom-loving Colombians are with him!”

Congressman Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) agreed with Salazar and called the trial “an injustice.”

“Today we witnessed an injustice in Colombia. A political persecution has been consummated against former President Álvaro Uribe, a courageous leader who saved his country from terrorism and firmly confronted the FARC when many remained silent,” Gimenez wrote in a post on his X account.

For Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the ruling against Uribe set a “worrisome precedent.” He said in a statement, “Former Colombian President Uribe’s only crime has been to tirelessly fight and defend his homeland. The weaponization of Colombia’s judicial branch by radical judges has now set a worrisome precedent.”

U.S. Senator Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) said that the conviction against Uribe demonstrates “the rule of law has deteriorated in Colombia.”

“The political persecution of President Alvaro Uribe, in a sham trial marred by irregularities and partisan politics, has shown the world just how the rule of law has deteriorated in #Colombia under socialist President Petro,” she wrote on X on July 28.

Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-Fla.) also expressed concern about the situation in the South American country.

“The decision involving a judicial farce, political persecution, and a witch hunt against former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez represents a clear violation of the rule of law. … From the United States, we express deep concern over the ongoing deterioration of democracy, public security, the rise in political violence, and the expansion of criminal groups in Colombia under Petro,” he wrote on his X account.

Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) said that “Colombia is one step closer to illegitimacy” and announced actions from his office.

“We’ve seen this movie before in Venezuela. I’ll be leading a bipartisan delegation of Senators and senior government officials to reaffirm our commitment to Colombia and its great people. It’s not too late and Colombia can emerge stronger than ever,” he said in a statement.

In response, Colombian politicians criticized the U.S. lawmakers for their statements.

“From the Congress of the Republic of Colombia, we completely reject the statements made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio against the Colombian justice system,” David Racero, a member of the Colombian House of Representatives, said on X. “This type of foreign interference cannot be accepted in silence.”

Reuters contributed to this report.