Alvaro Uribe: Colombia’s polarizing leader
*
Unequal legacy
*
Alvaro Uribe, who served as president from 2002 to 2010, remains a figure of stark division.
Popular with right‑wing supporters for his aggressive campaign against leftist guerrillas.
Criticized by many for alleged paramilitary ties and a conviction for witness tampering.
Early life and rise
*
Born to a landowner in Antioquia.
Became a senator, mayor of Medellín, and governor of the most populated department before ascending to the presidency.
Strong‑hand presidency
*
Tough anti‑drug policies and economic growth earned praise from Washington.
Assault on FARC leaders ordered by Uribe, with extensive military deployments that gave many Colombians a sense of security—yet violence persisted.
Uribe, a US‑educated lawyer, quietly enjoyed horses, yoga, and an unwavering Catholic faith.
Controversial reforms
*
Pushed a constitutional change allowing a second consecutive term—later reversed by the highest court.
Attempted a third term unsuccessfully.
Post‑presidency actions
*
Served in Congress 2014‑2020, continued campaigning for the Democratic Center.
Partly responsible for selecting Juan Manuel Santos, who later won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016.
Uribe viewed Santos’s peace deal with FARC as a betrayal.
Rejection of peace terms
*
Uribe vehemently opposed the 2017 agreement that saw FARC down arms.
His stance has gained traction amid recent failed peace efforts under President Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first left‑ist leader since 2022.
Character clash
*
Known for his short stature, deliberate speech, and volatile temperament.
Once recorded insulting a journalist and threatening violence—yet even detractors acknowledge his oratory and administrative skill.
Legacy tainted by corruption
*
Investigated for more than 6,000 civilian executions and forced disappearances committed by the military under his command.
Testified in a preliminary probe into the 1997 paramilitary massacre of subsistence farmers.
Claims he survived 15 assassination attempts, including a rocket attack on the day of his first inauguration.
Family and conviction
*
Married with two grown sons, who faced accusations of riding on his presidential coattails.
Convicted on Monday, becoming the first former Colombian president found guilty of a crime.
Conclusion*
Alvaro Uribe remains a polarizing symbol, lauded for security and growth by some, condemned for corruption and human rights abuses by others—his legacy continuing to shape Colombia’s political landscape.
