**Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Convicted of Witness-Tampering**

Colombian ex-president Álvaro Uribe faces conviction charges centered around witness tampering in a case linked to right-wing paramilitary allegations.

Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has made headlines after becoming the first leader in the country's history to be convicted of a crime. The 73-year-old, who served as president from 2002 to 2010, was found guilty by a Bogotá court on charges of witness tampering and fraud, which stemmed from allegations that he attempted to bribe witnesses in a separate investigation concerning his alleged connections to right-wing paramilitary forces responsible for numerous human rights violations. Each of the charges carries a potential sentence of up to 12 years in prison, although Uribe, who has steadfastly maintained his innocence, plans to appeal the verdict.

Uribe's presidency was marked by a rigorous campaign against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a leftist guerrilla group. Throughout his political career, he has ardently denied any affiliations with paramilitary organizations. The ruling comes after a lengthy legal battle that began over a decade ago when he first faced charges in 2012. At that time, Uribe accused leftist Senator Ivan Cepeda of orchestrating a conspiracy to implicate him with paramilitary groups involved in Colombia's protracted internal conflict. In an unexpected twist, Uribe's claims were dismissed by the Supreme Court, prompting an investigation into his own actions.

The allegations against Uribe intensified when he was accused of contacting former fighters to persuade them to refute any connections to the paramilitary. Uribe contends he simply aimed to encourage them to share the truth. His ruling has drawn significant international attention, including condemnation from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who criticized the Colombian judiciary as being politicized.

The historical backdrop of paramilitary groups in Colombia dates back to the 1980s as they emerged to confront poverty and marginalization while also battling Marxist guerrilla factions. Many of these armed entities became intertwined with the drug trade, leading to violent conflicts and entrenched rivalries over control of trafficking routes and resources. Despite Uribe's tough stance on FARC – which garnered praise from entities like Washington – his tenure has been criticized for not sufficiently addressing inequality and poverty.

In an effort to negotiate peace, FARC signed an agreement with Uribe's successor in 2016; however, violence perpetrated by disarmed groups continues to plague the nation. As the legal ramifications of Uribe's conviction unfold, it signifies a pivotal moment in Colombia's political story, reflective of long-standing tensions surrounding governance, security, and human rights.