“Follow the Leaders” – A Stark Reflection of Our Collapse by Isaac Cordal
Editorial
Uribe and Colombian Justice, the Moment of Truth
Colombia stands at a crossroads. The trial of former President Álvaro Uribe, accused of procedural fraud and witness tampering, is not just a legal matter; it is the ultimate test of the rule of law. The question is simple: can one man, no matter how powerful, evade justice through procedural manoeuvres?
Throughout this trial, Uribe’s defence has engaged in delay tactics, filing multiple appeals, suspending hearings, and citing trivial reasons to slow down the proceedings. The goal is clear: to reach the critical date of October 2025, when the statute of limitations would erase all charges against him. This is not just an abuse of legal rights—it is the deliberate sabotage of justice.
But this case extends far beyond Uribe himself. It exposes the deep flaws in a judicial system plagued by the impunity of political and economic elites. From the drug cartels of the 1980s to today’s corruption scandals, the powerful have consistently manipulated institutions to shield themselves. Uribe is simply the latest embodiment of this entrenched practice.
Even more concerning is the well-oiled propaganda machine backing Uribe. Complicit media outlets, orchestrated social media campaigns, intimidation of journalists and judges—every tool is being deployed to turn the accused into a victim and to frame this trial as political persecution. Those who expose these tactics face threats, exile, or enforced silence.
If the Colombian justice system yields, if it allows Uribe to escape under the guise of procedural delays, the message will be unmistakable: in Colombia, the law does not apply to the powerful. The country will remain a place where a privileged few dictate the rules, where justice is a privilege rather than a right.
However, if this trial is allowed to proceed to its conclusion—if the evidence is examined, and a verdict is reached free from pressure or intimidation—then it will mark a historic victory. It will not just be the downfall of one man; it will signify the birth of a justice system finally breaking free from political chains.
This is not about condemning Uribe by default, but about subjecting him to the same legal process that every Colombian citizen must abide by. If this fundamental principle is abandoned, Colombia’s democracy will become nothing more than an illusion.
The moment of truth is approaching. Colombia must choose: justice or impunity?
G.S.
