The Colombian army said two dissident groups from the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, carried out the attack. The groups rejected the peace agreement that the FARC signed with the government a decade ago.

The blast hit a toll plaza on the Pan-American Highway, the main road through the country’s southwest. Two security guards suffered minor injuries, according to the army.

One of the guards told authorities that a person abandoned the vehicle at the toll plaza and fled on a motorcycle.

The road connects the departments of Cauca and Valle del Cauca. Cali, the capital of Valle del Cauca, hosted de la Espriella’s inauguration on Friday.

During his inaugural speech, the new president outlined a tougher security policy. He warned illegal armed groups that they had two choices: submit to the rule of law or confront government security forces.

After the bombing, soldiers secured the toll plaza and used trained dogs to search for other explosives, the army said. Pieces of the vehicle, including its burned chassis, remained scattered around the site.

The blast also shook nearby homes. Elizabeth Zapata, 57, said the explosion woke her family and shattered their windows. She said relatives who live with several children arrived with pieces of broken glass embedded in their backs.

Cauca Gov. Jorge Octavio Guzmán said the attack appeared aimed at isolating the department and helping armed groups maintain control over thousands of hectares.

“This is not an isolated incident; it is systematic,” Guzmán told reporters.

Transportation Minister Elsa Noguera condemned the bombing. She said authorities were working to restore traffic along the highway.

“Colombia will not kneel before violence, nor will it allow the destruction of the infrastructure that connects our regions,” Noguera wrote on social media.

Government transfers 117 prisoners to maximum-security facilities

Meanwhile, de la Espriella announced the transfer of 117 prisoners linked to peace talks under the previous administration.

The prisoners were moved to eight maximum-security prisons, according to Colombia’s corrections agency. Officials said the measure aims to restore permanent control of the prisons and prevent criminal organizations from coordinating illegal activities from inside them.

De la Espriella has rejected the dialogue with armed groups pursued by his predecessor, Gustavo Petro.

The 48-year-old president had no previous political experience. He is a lawyer and businessperson who narrowly defeated progressive senator Iván Cepeda in a June runoff election.

Cepeda was an ally of Petro, whose government had promoted negotiations with armed groups.

The election took place in a deeply polarized political climate. Petro refused to recognize de la Espriella’s victory and alleged electoral fraud, despite the electoral authority’s official declaration of the result and a positive assessment from international observers.

The bombing now presents an early security challenge for de la Espriella’s government as it seeks to confront armed groups and strengthen state control in parts of the country.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press

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With 99.9% of votes counted, de la Espriella leads progressive lawmaker Iván Cepeda by roughly one percentage point, securing 49.7% compared to Cepeda’s 48.7%. Election officials have not formally declared a winner, and both camps have signaled disputes over the final tally.

The result places Colombia at a politically sensitive moment, with competing claims over the legitimacy of the count and sharply diverging visions for the country’s future direction.

Disputed result intensifies political tensions

Cepeda, an ally of outgoing President Gustavo Petro, said from Bogotá that his campaign considers the result “unofficial and non-binding,” announcing plans to challenge votes from more than 30,000 polling stations. Petro also indicated support for questioning the outcome.

Cepeda told supporters, “We will not allow … the rollback of the social gains we have achieved,” adding, “We will not allow democracy to be violated.”

Electoral authorities have not indicated that a recount has been initiated, and no presidential election recount in Colombia’s history has reversed a result once tallied.

Competing visions on security and armed conflict

The runoff has been shaped by deep divisions over how to address Colombia’s long-standing internal violence involving illegal armed groups. According to electoral context reported by the Associated Press, voters were presented with sharply contrasting security strategies.

De la Espriella, a lawyer and business owner who has never previously held elected office, has advocated a hardline approach to drug trafficking and armed groups. He has also proposed ending ongoing peace dialogue initiatives associated with the outgoing administration and expanding prison infrastructure modeled on strict security policies in El Salvador.

His campaign has drawn international attention in part due to his endorsement from U.S. President Donald Trump. In a post on his social media platform, Trump wrote, “He Won, BIG!”

De la Espriella, addressing supporters in Barranquilla, said, “I will govern for all Colombians,” before shifting tone and telling opponents, “Pack your bags and prepare to exercise the opposition,” adding, “Make no mistake, Mr. Cepeda. You already know how fiercely the tiger roars.”

Deep political divisions reflect broader instability concerns

The Associated Press reported that Colombia continues to face violence linked to illegal armed groups, with more than 27,000 members estimated across such organizations. Last year, authorities recorded 14,780 homicides, the highest level since at least 2015, driven largely by clashes between armed factions.

Among those cited in previous violence was conservative presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe, highlighting ongoing security concerns that have dominated the campaign.

Analysts cited in the AP reporting noted that the close result reflects continued polarization rather than a decisive national shift toward either political bloc, with regional differences reinforcing ideological divides.

Outcome remains uncertain

Sunday’s vote was widely viewed as a referendum on the outgoing government’s approach to peace negotiations and social reform. While de la Espriella’s camp signals a shift toward tougher security measures, Cepeda’s supporters have pledged to defend ongoing reforms.

Election officials are expected to continue processing challenges in the coming days. The next president is scheduled to begin a four-year term on August 7, though the political dispute may extend beyond certification.

For now, Colombia remains in a contested electoral phase, with both sides claiming legitimacy in a deeply divided political environment.

Tags: Colombia, Election, Abelardo de la Espriella, Ivan Cepeda, Gustavo Petro, Donald Trump, Americas

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Written: August 2, 2025 | 16:00 EDT (U.S. Time)

In a decision that marks a pivotal moment in Colombian political and legal history, former President Álvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years under house arrest after being found guilty of bribery and witness tampering. The ruling, delivered by a Colombian court on Friday, concludes a months-long trial that has stirred public opinion and cast a shadow over the legacy of one of the country’s most influential conservative leaders.

Uribe, who led Colombia from 2002 to 2010 and enjoyed strong support from the United States during his presidency, denies the charges and has already vowed to appeal the sentence.

The Court’s Decision and Sentence

The sentencing followed Uribe’s conviction on Monday, when Judge Sandra Heredia ruled that sufficient evidence had been presented showing the former president had worked with an attorney to influence witnesses. These witnesses had previously linked Uribe to paramilitary activity during Colombia’s violent 1990s, a time marked by widespread human rights abuses.

On Friday, Judge Heredia rejected a defense request to allow Uribe to remain free during the appeals process, citing concerns he might flee the country. The ruling also included a fine of approximately $776,000 and an eight-year ban on holding public office.

“Politics prevailed over the law in sentencing,” Uribe commented after the hearing. On social media, he posted that he was preparing arguments for an appeal, emphasizing the importance of focusing on solutions during moments of personal crisis.

Background: A Polarizing Political Figure

Álvaro Uribe remains a deeply polarizing figure in Colombia. Supporters often credit him with stabilizing the nation during a period when Colombia was on the brink of becoming a failed state. His administration’s military efforts significantly weakened the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a left-wing guerrilla group, and set the stage for the 2016 peace accord that led to the demobilization of over 13,000 fighters.

However, critics associate Uribe with the rise of right-wing paramilitary groups accused of committing widespread atrocities. Human rights organizations have long scrutinized his ties to such groups, though Uribe has denied any involvement.

The current case stems from an unusual reversal of legal proceedings. In 2012, Uribe filed a libel complaint against left-wing Senator Iván Cepeda, who had accused him of maintaining links with paramilitary forces. But in 2018, the Supreme Court dismissed Uribe’s complaint and instead opened a criminal investigation into Uribe himself.

Key Allegations and Evidence

According to the court, Uribe and a lawyer conspired to convince three imprisoned former paramilitaries to alter their testimony—specifically to discredit statements they had given to Senator Cepeda. The manipulation allegedly included bribes and other incentives designed to influence their cooperation.

Judge Heredia stated during Monday’s ruling that the evidence presented during the six-month trial demonstrated a coordinated effort to interfere with justice. The court relied on witness testimony, communications records, and recordings that reportedly showed direct efforts to manipulate legal proceedings.

Public Reaction: A Divided Nation Responds

As news of the sentencing spread, reactions across Colombia reflected the country’s ongoing political divide. In Bogotá, Uribe supporter Martha Peñuela Rosales described feeling devastated by the verdict. “It’s an unjust sentence. He deserves to be free,” she said tearfully.

Conversely, anti-Uribe demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse in celebration. Sergio Andrés Parra, one protester, said the ruling was a long-awaited act of justice. “Even if he appeals, history has already condemned him,” Parra said.

Legal Outlook: Appeals Process Ahead

Uribe’s legal team has signaled that it will appeal the decision, which means the case will move to an appellate court. A ruling is expected by early October. Regardless of the outcome, the verdict already stands as one of the most significant legal actions against a former head of state in Colombia’s democratic history.

Both the prosecution and the defense will have the opportunity to appeal the appellate court’s ruling to the country’s Supreme Court, potentially prolonging the legal battle for months or even years.

Broader Implications for Colombian Politics

This ruling arrives at a time when Colombia continues to navigate complex political terrain. Current efforts to maintain peace, address historical injustices, and reform its legal institutions are being closely monitored by both domestic actors and the international community.

Uribe’s conviction may have lasting consequences for Colombia’s conservative political movement, which he helped shape for nearly two decades. While he no longer holds public office, his influence remains visible in the country’s political discourse and policymaking.

Conclusion

The sentencing of Álvaro Uribe to house arrest is not just a legal milestone—it represents a turning point for Colombia’s political accountability. As the former president prepares to appeal his conviction, the nation watches closely, divided yet hopeful that the country’s institutions can uphold the rule of law without fear or favor.

Source: AP News – Colombian ex-President Álvaro Uribe is sentenced to 12 years house arrest for bribery

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