Colombia: Former President Uribe Sentenced to 12 Years of House Arrest

Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for bribery of witnesses. The sentence was announced on Friday, and Uribe has not admitted guilt, with his legal representatives stating they will appeal.

In addition to house arrest, Uribe was fined $578,000 and banned from holding public office for more than eight years, according to court president Sandra Liliana Heredia.

Uribe is accused of ordering a lawyer to bribe imprisoned paramilitaries to dispute claims about his ties to those organizations. The appeal hearing is scheduled for August 4.

Uribe's conviction could impact Colombia's relations with the United States, as the U.S. government has supported the former president. Analysts believe the U.S. could cut aid to the country.

Uribe served as President of Colombia from 2002 to 2010 and oversaw a military offensive against leftist rebels.