Editorial
Uribe’s Conviction: Colombia’s Break with Impunity
Colombia has entered uncharted territory. The conviction of former President Álvaro Uribe for procedural fraud and witness tampering is more than a legal milestone; it is the collapse of a decades-old shield of privilege that has protected the political elite from accountability. For the first time in living memory, one of the most powerful figures in the country has been forced to answer before the law, and lost.
Uribe’s downfall did not happen in silence. It came after years of calculated obstruction: appeals designed to stall, hearings suspended at the last minute, and a constant effort to push the case towards the expiry of the statute of limitations in October 2025. These tactics, once a reliable escape route for the powerful, failed in the face of mounting evidence and judicial resolve. The verdict marks the first decisive break in Colombia’s long tradition of political impunity.
This case was never just about Uribe. It was a battle for the credibility of Colombia’s justice system. For decades, institutions have been manipulated by a small circle of economic and political interests, from the days when narco-cartels openly bought influence to today’s web of corporate corruption and political favours. Uribe’s conviction has pierced that system, showing that its grip is not absolute.
The verdict is also a defeat for the propaganda apparatus that sought to rewrite the story. Friendly news outlets, coordinated online campaigns, and the intimidation of journalists and judges were all mobilised to portray Uribe as a victim of political persecution. But the court’s decision has silenced that narrative. For once, truth has cut through the noise.
Colombia now stands at a new crossroads. A justice system that has dared to confront power must now prove that this is not an isolated victory. The conviction of Uribe should mark the beginning of a new era in which the law applies equally to all, not the exception that proves the rule. The public, whose trust in institutions has been worn thin by decades of betrayal, will be watching closely.
History will record this moment not just for the name in the dock, but for what it symbolises: that the highest office in the land no longer guarantees immunity, and that even the most entrenched power can fall. For Colombia’s democracy, this is a victory worth defending…
G.S.
