Twelve years house arrest for Colombian ex-leader Álvaro Uribe

In a historic ruling, former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for witness tampering and obstruction of justice. This verdict marks the first time a former president in Colombia's history has been convicted of a crime. Uribe, who served as president from 2002 to 2010, was accused of using his political influence to manipulate witnesses in a case related to paramilitary groups. The investigation dates back to Uribe's time as a senator, when he was allegedly involved in witness tampering and obstruction of justice. The court's decision has sent shockwaves through Colombia's political landscape, as Uribe was a dominant figure in the country's conservative movement. The sentence, which confines Uribe to his residence, reflects the gravity of the charges and the court's commitment to addressing corruption and abuses of power, even among the highest-ranking officials. This ruling is seen as a significant milestone in Colombia's efforts to address its complex history of political and legal challenges.