Álvaro Uribe Case: The political landscape reacted to the “Judgment of the Century” ruling issued by Judge Sandra Heredia.

The former president of the Republic, Álvaro Uribe Vélez, was declared guilty on Monday, July 28, 2025, for the crimes of  procedural fraud ,  bribery to witnesses , and  bribery in criminal action . This significant ruling emerged from a hearing in which Judge 44 Criminal of Bogotá, Sandra Heredia, detailed the legal rationale for her decision. The process, referred to as the  “Judgment of the Century,”  spanned over eight hours and resulted in one of the most pivotal decisions in Colombia’s judicial history.

<p class="paragraph">The judicial proceedings centered on Uribe’s alleged actions, which, according to the judge,  constituted manipulations and pressures on witnesses  regarding claims linking him to paramilitary groups. Among these witnesses was the ex-paramilitary Juan Guillermo Monsalve, deemed the star witness in the case, alongside other implicated figures like Carlos Enrique Vélez.</p>

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<p class="paragraph">The ruling triggered immediate reactions across Colombia's political spectrum, with various influential figures voicing their opinions on this landmark case through digital platforms. Many expressed satisfaction with the decision, while others accused Judge Heredia of bias.</p>

<p class="paragraph">From the Democratic Center, Uribe's party,  Senator María Fernanda Cabal criticized the ruling , denouncing it as unjust. She labeled the verdict as  "the failure of infamy,"  asserting, "It was not a ruling against the former president; it was a monument to judicial arbitrariness and the politicization of justice." Cabal emphasized the inevitability of filing for an appeal, remarking, "It became a show and the sentence is a disgrace."</p>

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        <img alt="With this message, the senator" class="global-image" decoding="async" fetchpriority="low" height="609" loading="lazy" src="https://www.infobae.com/resizer/v2/POR6VASYVVCJNJ64BPIAFE6FH4.jpeg?auth=1622aed6257dc7e751742aa4454333e549eb2cdd520385d0b4a43f6f1858c0e6&amp;smart=true&amp;width=350&amp;height=233&amp;quality=85" width="916"/>
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    <figcaption class="article-figcaption-img">With this message, Senator María Fernanda Cabal reacted to the trial of former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez, qualifying it as a show - credit @mariafdacabal/x x</figcaption>
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<p class="paragraph">Similarly, Congressman Paola Holguín argued about the selectivity of the testimonies, stating, "The judge disqualifies witnesses because they admire Uribe, while asserting that the Human Rights Ombudsman (Iván Cepeda) shows idolatry towards him."</p>

<p class="paragraph">In contrast, from the coalition known as the  Historic Pact , Senator María José Pizarro celebrated the court's decision, acknowledging the critical role played by judicial officials and Senator Iván Cepeda. "Colombian justice has declared itself against former president Uribe! The women who participated in the trial made history," Pizarro stated. She emphasized the necessity of protecting all individuals involved in the proceeding.</p>

<p class="paragraph"><b>“Thousands of victims who participated in this process see a glimmer of hope after years of impunity,”</b> said Pizarro, highlighting the broader societal implications of the conviction.</p>

<p class="paragraph">Meanwhile,  Enrique Gómez Martínez , director of the National Salvation Party, questioned the judiciary's objectivity. "The Farc-Polytic is a chapter that has enjoyed strange impunity. Just imagine, had Raúl Reyes’ testimony been validated as evidence?" he questioned, emphasizing the need for transparency over the links between terror groups and political institutions.</p>

<p class="paragraph">Presidential candidate  Abelardo de la Espriella  threw his support behind Uribe, calling for public demonstrations, stating, "The great Colombian is not alone. What happened today is not justice; it is political revenge. All to the street! Uribe is innocent! United for Uribe, united for the homeland!"</p>

<p class="paragraph">In yet another wave of reactions, Representative  Lina María Garrido  implied that the ruling had political motivations, suggesting it was part of a larger campaign against Uribe’s legacy.</p>

<p class="paragraph">The conviction of Uribe Vélez stands as an  unprecedented event  for Colombia, given the complex political landscape surrounding his tenure as president and the strong polarization his figure evokes. Supporters argue that the trial was manipulated, while detractors advocate for judicial independence and accountability in the nation’s past injustices.</p>