Who Is Alvaro Uribe ?
Álvaro Uribe Vélez is a Colombian politician who served as the 31st President of Colombia from 7 August 2002 to 7 August 2010.
The former president and maximum head of the Democratic Center, Álvaro Uribe, became on Tuesday the first former Colombian head of state in the country’s modern history to face a measure to ensure justice.
Although the decision had not been officially notified by the Supreme Court of Justice, former President Uribe Vélez himself confirmed the news through his Twitter account: “The deprivation of my freedom causes me deep sadness for my lady, for my family and for Colombians who still believe that I have done something good for the Homeland. “
The Supreme Court Investigative Chamber investigates the former president for alleged witness tampering.
The case began in 2018 when the Supreme Court of Justice called Álvaro Uribe Vélez for investigation, considering that there was evidence that the former president and today senator was allegedly trying to convince witnesses to retract the statements against him and in which They involved him with paramilitary groups.
Following this decision, the Democratic Center bench announced an emergency meeting to analyze said resolution.
La privación de mi libertad me causa profunda tristeza por mi señora, por mi familia y por los colombianos que todavía creen que algo bueno he hecho por la Patria
— Álvaro Uribe Vélez (@AlvaroUribeVel) August 4, 2020
The details of the Court’s decision are not yet known. In any case, their sending to a place of confinement is ruled out, which opens the way to eventual house arrest.
After learning of the decision, President Iván Duque came to the defense of Uribe and spoke of freedom and guarantees.
“It hurts as a Colombian that many of those who have lacerated the country defend themselves in freedom or, even, are guaranteed never to go to prison, and that an exemplary public servant, who has held the highest dignity of the State, is not allowed defend themselves in freedom, with the presumption of innocence, “said Duque.
The head of the State added that “as a citizen and believer in the institutions, I hope that the judicial channels will operate and that there are full guarantees so that an upright human being can fully exercise his defense in freedom.”
