Colombia: Appeals Court Overturns Former President Uribe's Conviction

Published OCT 22·Updated OCT 23

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Above: Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe during a press conference on Oct. 21, 2025. Image credit: Jaime Saldarriaga/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Left narrative

The appeals court's reversal continues Colombia's shameful tradition of protecting paramilitary-linked politicians from accountability. By dismissing wiretapped evidence of Uribe discussing bribes, the tribunal covers up decades of narco-paramilitary governance and genocide. This decision reinforces impunity for elites while silencing those who exposed political corruption.

NACLA

Gustavo Petro on X

Right narrative

Colombia's justice system finally stood strong against a brazen political witch hunt that targeted former President Uribe for years. The appeals court's decision proves that legal institutions can resist weaponization by those seeking to criminalize legitimate politics. This victory shows the rule of law prevailed over partisan abuse, and serves as an example for other countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Christopher Landau on X

Marco Rubio on X