Legacy in Question: Alvaro Uribe's Controversial Conviction

Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for bribery and witness tampering. The ruling, part of a six-month trial, highlights the divisive legacy of Uribe, a leader praised for stabilizing Colombia but criticized for alleged ties to paramilitary groups.

In a landmark decision that has captivated Colombia, former President Alvaro Uribe received a 12-year house arrest sentence for charges of bribery and witness tampering.

The verdict follows a six-month trial where evidence emerged of Uribe's efforts to sway witnesses who accused him of paramilitary connections in the 1990s. The former leader plans to appeal the ruling.

Uribe's presidency from 2002 to 2010 remains polarizing; hailed for combating state collapse but marred by allegations of human rights violations and paramilitary ties, his legal battles continue to shape his contentious legacy.

(With inputs from agencies.)