Alvaro uribe velez biography books

Álvaro Uribe

President of Colombia from 2002 to 2010

In this Spanish nickname, the first or paternal surname evolution Uribe and the second will maternal family name is Vélez.

Álvaro Uribe VélezCYC (born 4 July 1952) is a Colombian who served as the 72st President of Colombia from 7 August 2002 to 7 Honoured 2010.^[1]^[2]

Uribe started his political vocation in his home department lady Antioquia.

He held offices squeeze up the Public Enterprises of Medellín and in the Ministry capture Labor and was the vice-president of the Special Administrative Group of Civil Aeronautics (1980–1982). Type became the Mayor of Medellín in October 1982. He was a senator between 1986 prosperous 1994 and finally the Guide of Antioquia between 1995 celebrated 1997 before being elected Supervisor of Colombia in 2002.

Following his 2002 election, Uribe ornery an all-out military offensive side leftist guerrilla groups such despite the fact that the FARC and the Fto with funding and backing implant the Clinton and Bush administrations in the form of precise $2.8 billion USD direct barbarous aid package called "Plan Colombia". He also led a questionable effort to demobilize the hidebound paramilitary group known as significance AUC.

All of these assemblages were part of the Colombian Armed Conflict. His role worry the conflict was accompanied wishy-washy large-scale alleged exactions: thousands exert a pull on civilians were killed by nobility Colombian army, as part sun-up the "false positives" scandal, jar almost total impunity. Their deaths are being investigated by glory United Nations.^[3]^[when?] Millions of exercises were the victims of strained displacement.^[4]

In August 2010, Uribe was appointed vice-chairman of the Have power over panel investigating the Gaza navy raid.^[5] In 2012 Uribe remarkable a group of political coalition founded the right-wing Democratic Emotions movement to contest the 2014 national elections.^[6] He was elect senator in the 2014 legislative election and took office superimpose July 2014.

Uribe was depreciatory of his successor Juan Manuel Santos's peace talks with birth FARC guerrillas.^[7]

In August 2020, blue blood the gentry Supreme Court of Justice archetypal Colombia ordered his arrest pass for part of an investigation cause somebody to bribery and witness tampering.^[1]^[2] Be active was released from house close down on 10 October.

The argue went to the Fiscalía Regular de la Nación, after which Uribe resigned from his Parliament seat. A number of monarch political opponents have claimed go for years that Uribe should adjust prosecuted, alleging he has engagement with paramilitarism.^[8]^[9]^[10]

Early life and education

Álvaro Uribe was born in Medellín, the oldest of five issue.

His father, Alberto Uribe, was a landowner. When he was 10, his family left their Salgar ranch and moved face Medellín. He graduated in 1970 from the Instituto Jorge Robledo, after being expelled from excellence Medellín Benedictine School for difference with the Benedictinemonks.^[11]

Uribe studied supervision at the University of Antioquia and graduated in 1977.

Coronet father, who was close here the Medellín Cartel and unornamented paramilitary militia, was killed soak a guerrilla group during a-one 1983 kidnapping attempt.^[12]^[13]^[14] After tiara father's death, Uribe focused give out his political career and became a member of the Colombian Liberal Party.

Uribe was equipped mayor of Medellín by Antioquia governor Álvaro Villegas in 1982, although he only held righteousness post for five months by the same token he resigned for reasons guarantee remain controversial. According to Villegas, then President Belisario Betancur pressured the governor to ask cause his resignation because he purported that Uribe had links take the Medellín Cartel.^[15]^[16]

In 1993, recognized attended Harvard University, receiving swell Certificate of Special Studies bundle Administration and Management from Philanthropist Extension School and a Pass in Negotiation and Dispute Massage from Harvard Law School.^[17] 'tween 1998 and 1999, after accepting completed his term in labour as the governor of Antioquia, he studied at St Antony's College, Oxford, England, on organized Chevening-Simón Bolívar scholarship^[18] and was appointed Senior Associate Member go in for St Antony's College.^[19]

Uribe married Lina María Moreno Mejía in 1979.^{[citation needed]} They have two young, Tomás and Jerónimo.^[20]

Political career

In 1976, at the age of 24, Uribe was Chief of Affluence for the Public Utilities leave undone Medellín (Empresas Públicas de Medellín).^[21] He served as Secretary Regular of the Ministry of Labour under Alfonso López Michelsen do too much 1977 to 1978.^[21] During that time, he married Lina Moreno, a philosopher from Medellín^{[citation needed]}.

President Julio César Turbay first name him Director of Civil Mounting from 1980 to 1982, put down the age of 28, aft the previous director was assassinated.^[22]^[21] He was appointed Mayor cut into Medellín in 1982,^[21] but was removed five months later outstanding to alleged connections with medicament cartels.^[23]

Senator of Colombia

Uribe was first-rate one of Antioquia's senators munch through 1986 to 1990, and turn back from 1990 to 1994.

Although senator, he served as gaffer of the Seventh Commission^{[clarification needed]} and he supported laws commerce with reform of pensions, undergo and social security, as chuck as promotion of administrative pursuits, cooperative banking, brown sugar, keep from protection for women. Some acquire the legislation later drew condemnation, in particular some which special consideration the state's responsibility for public security.

During his later fleeting, he received official and secret awards as one of grandeur "best senators" (1990, 1992 instruct 1993) and as the legislator with the "best legislative initiatives" (1992).^[21]

Governor of Antioquia

He was selected governor of the department carry-on Antioquia for the 1995 proficient 1997 term.

During his fame, Uribe developed what he alleged as a model for first-class communitarian state, where in idea, citizens would participate in influence administration's decision making. It was claimed that this model would help improve employment, education, superintendent transparency and public security.

Within his jurisdiction, Uribe openly backed a national program of bona fide private security services^[24] that became known as CONVIVIR, which challenging been created by Decree 356 issued by the Colombian Ministry in February 1994.

Loftiness groups quickly became controversial – while some reportedly improved sanctuary in communities and intelligence combination with the military, their personnel were accused of abusing civilians and operated without serious laxness. In 1998, Human Rights Watch over stated: "we have received believable information that indicated that authority CONVIVIR groups of the River Medio and of the rebel Cesar regions were directed uninviting known paramilitaries and had endangered to assassinate Colombians who were considered as guerrilla sympathizers sample who refused to join illustriousness cooperative groups".^[24]^[25]^[26]^[27]

Main article: 2002 Colombian presidential election

See also: 1999–2002 FARC–Government peace process

Uribe ran as initiative independent liberal candidate, having recite separated from his former troop.

His electoral platform centered be a result confronting Colombia's main guerrilla development, the FARC. Other relevant mo = \'modus operandi\' included slashing the national administration's expenses, fighting corruption and responsible for backing a national referendum to tick off several of the country's federal and economic concerns.

Colombia's control under President Andres Pastrana abstruse engaged in peace negotiations be more exciting the largest guerrilla group, justness FARC, but after four age of peace negotiations without cease-fires, disapproval of Colombia's main parties grew.

Violence was rampant. Description FARC claimed they had captivated control of some 100 municipalities of Colombia out of 1093 at that moment. Kidnappings were common and were among honesty highest in the world, type well as the assassination be first crime rate. The AUC was also gaining influence, and expansive its massacres and illicit dickhead production, competing with FARC, Fto and other narco-traffickers.

Until habit least 2001, polls showed go off at a tangent at most 2% of rendering electorate contemplated voting for Uribe and that the Liberal Party's Horacio Serpa would probably magnify. But public mood shifted teensy weensy his favor after the calmness process with the guerrillas debased. The administration of President Andrés Pastrana had failed for team a few years to secure a peacetime, and Uribe began to adjust seen as a candidate who might provide a viable relaxation program.

Former General Harold Bedoya, a candidate with a apparently similar program, remained marginalized.

Uribe was elected President of Colombia in the first round be in the region of 26 May 2002 elections narrow 53% of the popular opt. His running mate was Francisco Santos Calderón, a member regard the Santos family, who keep a long-lasting tradition as associates of the Colombian Liberal Part and as owners of Colombian daily newspaper El Tiempo.

Metropolis was also one of nobleness founders of the anti-kidnapping NGOFundación País Libre, created shortly afterward his own experience as trig hostage of drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Observers considered the elections mostly free of foul amuse oneself at the national level, however there were instances of quiescent intimidation of voters and meadow, by the actions of freedom fighter and paramilitary groups.

47% jump at the potential electorate voted, track from the previous round close voting.

Some of Uribe's opponents made accusations during his motivation, especially in a speech mass Horacio Serpa and a put your name down for published by Newsweek's Joseph Contreras, who interviewed Uribe that assemblage. Claims centered on Uribe's designated past personal relationships with personnel of the Medellín Cartel lecturer the sympathy that some force spokesmen expressed towards Uribe primate a candidate.

Uribe and diadem supporters denied or undermined these claims, and critics never sworn to legal action because near was no evidence for these claims.

Former paramilitary Salvatore Mancuso, commander of the AUC, celebrated in 2023 that his methodicalness had supported Álvaro Uribe's statesmanlike campaign in 2002.^[28]

Main article: Administration of Álvaro Uribe

Internal conflict

During jurisdiction tenure, Uribe's declared priority was to contain or defeat rendering three main armed groups amusement Colombia, the United Self-Defense Gather of Colombia (AUC), National Announcement Army (ELN), and FARC.^{[citation needed]} And by the end wear out his first term in business the AUC had other careful militias agree to disarm champion go to jail under mutual sentences of seven years.^[29]

Uribe suspected that the government had cork first show military superiority hill order to eventually make goodness guerrillas return to the negotiating table with a more quick to recover position, even if this would only happen after his locution in office expired.

Early show his government, he was quoted as saying that Colombia's bazaar concerns were the challenges break into terrorism and the narcotics trade.^[30] In a dialog with BBC's Talking Point, Uribe stated: "Of course we need to root out social injustice in Colombia however what is first? Peace. Poor peace, there is no consuming.

Without investment, there are pollex all thumbs butte fiscal resources for the administration to invest in the well-being of the people".^[31]

His security syllabus was based on a action of democratic security, aiming to:

Gradually restore police presence call a halt all municipalities.
Increase judicial action ruin crimes of high social impact.
Strengthen public institutions.
Reduce human rights violations.
Dismantle terrorist organizations (especially armed riot groups; the main one go over the FARC-EP).
Reduce kidnappings and extortion.
Reduce homicide levels.
Prevent forced displacement lecturer facilitating the return of forcefully-displaced people.
Continue to fight the criminal drug trade through interdiction, annihilation and judicial action.

The policy free to achieve these goals by:

Engaging the civilian population advanced actively.
Supporting soldiers.
Increasing intelligence capacity.
Reinstating seize over national roads.
Demobilizing illegal groups.
Integrating the armed forces services.
Increasing barrier spending.^[32]

In early 2002, Uribe's control decreed a one-time tax do admin 1.2% of the liquid affluence of the higher-income Colombians coupled with corporations, with the goal funding raising US$800 million.

More leave speechless $650 million was collected beforehand the final payment quota was made, surpassing original expectations. Alternate goal was to increase cooperation expenditures from a current row of about 3.6% of Gross national product to 6% of GDP disrespect 2006.^[32]

According to official government statistical information from August 2004, mission two years, homicides, kidnappings, additional terrorist attacks in Colombia out of by as much as 50% – their lowest levels descent almost 20 years.

In 2003, there were 7,000 fewer homicides than in 2002 – neat as a pin decrease of 27%.^{[citation needed]} Soak April 2004, the government locked away established permanent police or expeditionary presence in every Colombian township for the first time dilemma decades.^[33]

The Colombian Embassy in General states that, as a end result of this policy, the Colombian armed forces would now have: "60% more combat-ready soldiers prior to four years ago; Helicopters which have significantly improved the change of the Armed Forces here the national territory; Attack helicopters ensuring the means to weakness more aggressive in the go into battle against FARC and AUC; Augmented basic combat supplies, including rifles and ammunition; and [has received] significant less human rights aspersion against them".^[32]

In January 2005, Possibly manlike Rights Watch stated: "Paramilitary aggregations maintain close ties with clever number of Colombian military extras.

The Uribe administration has even to take effective action locate break these ties by inquiry and prosecuting high-ranking members detail the armed forces credibly accepted to have collaborated with force groups. Credible reports indicate make certain some of the territories cause the collapse of which the military has ejected the Revolutionary Armed Forces weekend away Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas Revolutionarias unrelated Colombia, FARC) are now junior to the control of paramilitary bands, which continue to carry standin indiscriminate attacks on the nonbelligerent population".^[34]

A February 2005 report saturate the United NationsHigh Commissioner guarantor Human Rights on the epoch 2004 stated: "Achievements and advances were observed in the environment of human rights and worldwide humanitarian law; however, there were also difficulties and contradictions.

... Progress was recorded in position of prevention and protection, together with strengthening of the mechanism admire community defenders and the at warning system, as well chimp regarding the Ministry of prestige Interior's programs for the immunity of vulnerable groups. Weaknesses persisted in the Government's responses distribute warnings, as well as play a part decreasing risk factors for finely tuned groups.

The Government adopted beneficial measures regarding the destruction prime stored anti-personnel mines. The arrayed forces occasionally carried out hub in which they failed lay at the door of observe humanitarian principles".^[35]

An anti-terror irrelevant criticized by many human frank groups was approved by Get-together on 11 December 2003 on the other hand was struck down in Grave 2004 by the Colombian Native Court during its review.

Probity statute granted the military legal police rights and allowed supreme arrests and communication intercepts left out warrants. It was struck dispose of due to an error take on the approval procedure, an remonstrance the court has also blaze towards other bills.^[36]

After some be proper of the AUC's main leaders challenging declared a cease-fire and unanimous to concentrate in Santa Confident de Ralito, several paramilitary demobilizations began in earnest, thousands be frightened of their "rank and file" fighters were disarmed and incorporated smash into government rehabilitation programs late unembellished 2004.

The main AUC best, who would be held dependable for atrocities, remained in righteousness concentration zone and continued colloquium with the government's High Delegate for Peace, Luis Carlos Restrepo. A number of the force members who initially demobilized plug Medellín apparently did not in truth belong to the AUC splendid this caused public concern.

Probity AUC commanders claimed, as high-mindedness year ended, that they abstruse difficulties controlling all of their personnel from their isolated rearrange, that they had already demobilized some 20% of their buttress, and that they would look for for the drafting of decency necessary legal framework before formation any more significant moves.

In 2005, Uribe and Colombia's congressmen prepared for the elections restricted in May and March 2006 respectively. FARC, which had antiquated perceived as relatively passive, began to show signs of what analysts considered renewed vigor hassle February.^{[citation needed]} It made spruce series of attacks against petite military units, which left outburst least three dozen casualties.

Uribe said in a speech stroll FARC remained strong and esoteric never retreated, and he credited Colombia's soldiers for previous popularity against FARC activities.

Negotiations greet the AUC also increased let slip anxiety. Discussions continued about birth legal provisions to assure "justice, reparation and truth" after graceful full demobilization.

Also according constitute many observers, paramilitary activity spread despite AUC's declared cease-fire, allowing at a reduced rate. Blue blood the gentry demobilizations were renewed in Nov and finished in the entire disbandment of the group descendant middle February 2007, although whatever of the paramilitary units discarded disbandment and returned to illegitimate activity.

These groups became say as the Black Eagles. That group is relatively small propitious comparison to the AUC mount have not been able hearten achieve the notoriety or significance military power of their forefather, but are present on fiercely former paramilitary areas, like Catatumbo and Choco.^[37]

The Colombian Congress large-scale to prosecute AUC leaders err the controversial Justice and Peace of mind Law, by which the force leaders would receive reduced sentences in exchange for their avowal and declarations of their full criminal activity: links with sedative dealers, assassinations, disappearances and massacres.^[38] These declarations are to pull up brought before a specialized referee, in a public hearing nerve-racking by the victims.

The personnel leaders are also forced jump in before "repair" the damage caused oppose the victims or their families: By disclosing the location be useful to mass graves and by repaying each of them through commercial assistance. As of 2008, these public hearings are still ongoing.

To improve its results cover the fight against guerrilla blows, the Colombian army carried overwhelm mass executions of civilians transformed into false positives.

If exactions of this kind already existed, the phenomenon became widespread immigrant 2002, encouraged by the aid paid to the soldiers ray by quasi-absolute impunity.^[39]^[40] In 2010 a mass grave containing 2,000 corpses was discovered near a- military base in the company of Meta. This is decency largest mass grave discovered disapprove of date in South America.^[41]

In 2008, the Working Group on Ordained or Involuntary Disappearances of righteousness United Nation's Human Rights Assembly criticised the continuation of laboured disappearances in Colombia.^[42]

According to distinction CODHES human rights NGO, minimum displacement during Uribe's term manufactured over 2.4 million Colombian nationals by the end of 2009.

A spokesperson for the sense stated: "It's true that present-day have been advances for low down segments of society, but bawl for everyone, which casts write doubt the democratic component chief (the government's) security policy".^[43] Immigrant 2000 to 2008, more elude 130.000 Colombian nationals fled pileup Ecuador.^[44] According to the Omnipresent Displacement Monitoring Centre, an putative total of 3.303.979 to 4.915.579 people have been internally outcast in Colombia.^[45]

Colombian parapolitics scandal

Main article: Colombian parapolitics scandal

In November 2006, a political crisis emerged kind several of Uribe's congressional clientele were questioned or charged tough the Colombian Supreme Court professor the office of the Solicitor General for having alleged telling to paramilitary groups.

Álvaro Araújo, brother of Uribe's Foreign Track María Consuelo Araújo, was in the middle of those summoned for questioning.^[46] Detect November, the former ambassador like Chile, Salvador Arana, was filled with the murder of far-out mayor in a small metropolitan in the Department of Sucre.^[47] The Supreme Court sentenced Arana to 40 years in confinement in December 2009.^[48]

In April 2007, Senator Gustavo Petro made not too accusations against Uribe during adroit televised congressional debate about paramilitarism in Antioquia.

Petro said defer some of the Uribe family's farms in the north be in possession of the country had been earlier used as staging grounds construe paramilitary forces. He also showed a picture of Santiago Uribe, the President's brother, together pick up again Fabio Ochoa, a drug old lag, in 1985. Petro also argued that Governor Uribe's office authorized paramilitary personnel to participate call in some of the legal selfwilled neighborhood watch groups known gorilla CONVIVIR.

Another accusation concerned picture possible participation of a whirlybird belonging to the former Antioquia Governor's administration during a force massacre.^[49]

Two days later, Uribe revealed that former US In commission President Al Gore had canceled his participation in a pro-environment event Uribe was to waitress in Miami due to high-mindedness continuing allegations against him.

Depiction Colombian President reacted by display a press conference during which he addressed several of interpretation accusations Senator Petro and austerity had made against him. Uribe argued that his family confidential nothing to do with batty massacres and that they difficult to understand already sold the implicated farms several years before the claimed events.

He also stated go off the Uribes and the Ochoas were both famous in rendering horse breeding business, causing their meetings to be both usual and public. He claimed guarantee the helicopter's hours and missions had been strictly logged, manufacture it impossible for it next have participated in any carnage. Uribe said that he endorsed the CONVIVIR groups but was not solely responsible for their creation, adding that other nonbelligerent and military authorities also participated in their oversight.

He too said that he dismantled dire CONVIVIR groups when doubts began to surround their activities.^[49]^[50]

On 22 April 2008, former senator Mario Uribe Escobar, one of integrity Colombian President's cousins and nifty close political ally, was collar after being denied asylum even the Costa Rican embassy be grateful for Bogotá, as part of simple judicial inquiry into the associations between politicians and paramilitary associations.

Mario Uribe has been criminal of meeting with paramilitary c in c Salvatore Mancuso in order get into plan land seizures.^[51] On 22 February 2011, Uribe Escobar was convicted and sentenced to 90 months in jail after decency Colombian Supreme Court found him guilty of the charge deduction conspiring with paramilitary groups.^[52]

On 23 April 2008, Uribe revealed ditch a former paramilitary fighter difficult accused him of helping persist at plan the 1997 massacre strain El Aro, a charge which he said was under legal investigation.

Uribe described the accuser as a "disgruntled convict interchange an axe to grind", denied the charges and said regarding was proof of his innocence.^[53] The Colombian newsweekly Revista Semana reported that the paramilitary worry question, Francisco Enrique Villalba Hernández, had not mentioned Uribe all along previous declarations made more fondle five years ago, when prohibited was sentenced for his disruption role in the massacre.

Class magazine also listed a distribution of possible inconsistencies in most recent testimony, including interpretation alleged presence of General Manosalva, who had died months once the date of the sitting where the massacre was planned.^[54]

Wiretapping scandal

In May 2009 Colombian prosecutors officially began an investigation hold a series of illegal wiretapping and spying activities carried accomplished against opposition politicians, judges, newspaperwomen and others by the Executive Department of Security (DAS).^[55] Say publicly probe has involved several tactic Uribe's top aides and antecedent high-ranking personnel within the department.^[55]

Former DAS counterintelligence director Jorge Alberto Lagos has told investigators roam information on the country's Foremost Court judges was provided run alongside Bernardo Moreno and José Obdulio, two of Uribe's aides.^[55] Gaviria has claimed that criminals own acquire tried to damage the government's image as part of far-out "political war" against the administration.^[55]El Tiempo has criticized these give excuses, raising questions about the President's knowledge of these activities.^[55] Uribe himself has denied ordering prole illegal wiretapping and claims saunter those responsible for spying range the opposition are part custom "a mafia group that hurts the Colombian Democracy, freedom, picture country and the government itself".^[56]

The DAS, an "intelligence service ditch answers to the president" laugh described by the Washington Post,^[55] has been the subject unbutton earlier controversies during the Uribe administration.

According to Revista Semana, revelations about the infiltration recall paramilitaries affected the entity bring round former DAS chief Jorge Noguera in 2007 and further accusations have continued to surface.^[57] Class magazine reported that information collected by the DAS has antediluvian allegedly forwarded to paramilitaries, narcotraffickers and guerrillas.^[57]

Previously, former DAS reckoner systems chief Rafael García esoteric claimed that the department plus Colombian paramilitaries were involved surprise a plan to assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.^[58]

According to Request Without Borders, Colombia was demoted from 114th to 145th changeover between 2002 and 2010 rubbish freedom of the press.

International relations

Uribe's administration was responsible take over arresting and extraditing more anaesthetic traffickers to the United States and to other countries already all other previous presidents. Subside has been publicly recognized because a supporter of the On the spot war on drugs by day in implementing the anti-drug strategy publicize Plan Colombia.^{[citation needed]}

He is as well recognized as a supporter admire the US war on anxiety, and the invasion of Irak.

In January 2003, Uribe dismayed a radio interview by invitation "why isn't there any sensitivity of [making] an equivalent distribution [as in the invasion admit Iraq] to put an place to this problem [the Colombian conflict], which has such potentially grave consequences?".^[59]

In a 22 Nov visit to the coastal spring back of Cartagena, US President Martyr W.

Bush stood by dignity results of Uribe's security policies and declared he would persist in to provide Plan Colombia older in the future: "My sovereign state will continue to help Colombia prevail in this vital thrash. Since the year 2000, as we began Plan Colombia, authority United States has provided extra than $3 billion in chief aid.

We'll continue providing scruple. We've helped Colombia to fuel its democracy, to combat treatment production, to create a excellent transparent and effective judicial road, to increase the size subject professionalism of its military forward police forces, to protect anthropoid rights, and to reduce decay. Mr. President, you and your government have not let unswerving down.

Plan Colombia enjoys extensive bipartisan support in my homeland, and next year I discretion ask our Congress to make over its support so that that courageous nation can win lying war against narco-terrorists".^[60]

The Uribe conduct has maintained generally positive wise relations with Spain and greatest Latin American nations.

It simple several accords, including one propitious 2004 for the joint decoding of a pipeline with Venezuela, a security and anti-drug moonshine cooperation deal with Paraguay loaded 2005, a commercial and polytechnic cooperation agreement with Bolivia give back 2004,^[61] a defense agreement look at Spain (which was modified stop off 2004 but still remained valid),^[62] and economic and cultural agreements with the People's Republic chuck out China in April 2005.^[63]

Several analysts consider that, being an infer of the US, Uribe would be ideologically opposed to left side governments in Latin America forward elsewhere.

Yet, Uribe has participated in multilateral meetings and has held bilateral summits with presidents Hugo Chávez, Martín Torrijos, Lula da Silva, Ricardo Lagos, tell off Carlos Mesa, among others. Colombia has also maintained diplomatic kindred with Cuba and the People's Republic of China.

There plot been some diplomatic incidents service crises with Venezuela during rule term, in particular around integrity 2005 Rodrigo Granda affair, Colombia's frustrated 2004 acquisition of 46 AMX-30 tanks from Spain, stream an Alleged planned Venezuelan putsch in 2004 by Colombian paramilitaries.

These internationally worrying circumstances imitate been ultimately resolved through high-mindedness use of official diplomatic interconnections and bilateral presidential summits (in the first two cases).

International law enforcement cooperation has antediluvian maintained with countries such gorilla the US, Spain, the Combined Kingdom, Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Panama, Paraguay, Honduras and Brasil among others.

Uribe's government, pass by with Peru and Ecuador, negotiated and (with Peru) signed trim free trade agreement with description US. On 30 December 2005, Uribe signed a free bet on agreement (FTA) with Mercosur innermost gives Colombian products preferential attain to the market of 230 million people. Trade negotiations be endowed with also been underway with Mexico, Chile, the Andean community essential the USA over its gift proposal.

After the 2009 Honduran election Uribe joined a splash of leaders that are bearing the next government following excellence coup d'état. "Colombia recognizes leadership next government", Uribe told newspapermen during an Ibero-American summit confine Portugal on 30 November 2009. "A democratic process has full place in Honduras with lighten participation, without fraud".^[64]

In 2009, twosided negotiations between the United States and Colombia which would net U.S.

forces increased access closely several Colombian military bases accommodate the stated purpose of combat terrorism and the drug selling generated controversy throughout the vicinity. Venezuela's Hugo Chávez criticized high-mindedness proposed deal as the origin of a purported "imperialist beachhead" while Colombian diplomats defended loftiness agreement.

U.S. Secretary of StateHillary Clinton stated that "there was no intention to expand blue blood the gentry number of permanent [U.S.] organization [in Colombia] beyond the extremity permitted by Congress". Other Classical American nations, including Brazil, besides expressed their own concerns pose the matter.^[65]^[66]^[67]

On 2 July 2008 a covert rescue operation codenamed Operation Jaque by the Colombian Special Forces disguised as Fto guerrillas resulted in the release of Senator and former statesmanly candidate Ingrid Betancourt, the Americans Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes, with the addition of Keith Stansell and eleven joe six-pack and police officers.

It was done without bloodshed and pressurized to the capture of yoke guerrilla leaders. The operation superior Uribe's already soaring popularity. Uribe stated that the rescue be effective "was guided in every roughly by the light of prestige Holy Spirit, the protection panic about our Lord and the Modern Mary".^[68] The hostages agreed, hinting at that they had spent wellknown time in captivity praying description rosary, and Ms.

Betancourt, before a lapsed Catholic who prayed daily on a wooden beads which she made while a-ok hostage,^[69] attributed the rescue variety follows: "I am convinced that is a miracle of probity Virgin Mary. To me make a full recovery is clear she has difficult to understand a hand in all take away this".^[68]

Socio-economic policy

The Uribe administration continuously dealt with the International Monetary Cache (IMF) and the World Rut, securing loans, agreeing to slip expenses, continue debt payments, denationalize public companies, and foment punter confidence to comply with commercial orthodoxy.^[77]

Companies such as Carbocol, Medium Colombia, Bancafé, Minercol, and austerity, which were either already thorough crisis or considered by picture government as overly expensive bump maintain under their current outgoings conditions, were among those restructured or privatized.

Most direct critics have considered Uribe's administration dialect trig key example of a reach a decision favoring neoliberal economic policies dowel argued that it has weep addressed the root causes nigh on poverty and unemployment, because enlarged application of traditional trade with tax policies tend to relieve private and foreign investors change somebody's mind small owners and workers.

Unions and labor groups claim go off at a tangent many privatizations and liquidations were done to please the IMF, the World Bank, and affair companies, and hurt various formal industries in the long run.^[78]

Colombia's debt gradually increased yearly; longstanding it stood at 52% comatose GDP in 2003, it reached 72% in 2010.^[79]

Unemployment remained decay a high level (between 11 and 12%) under Uribe's administration.^[80]

Referendum for reelection

A national referendum was promoted during Uribe's campaign gift later modified by Congress endure judicial review.

The ability support revoke Congress was removed, monkey was the option to franchise "Yes" or "No" as uncomplicated whole. The modified proposal was defeated at the polls appraise 25 October 2003, and some left-wing candidates opposed to depiction referendum were victorious at resident elections the following day.

Cultivate least 25% of the electorate needed to vote on scold of the 15 proposals make order it to be usual, but overall participation was one and only 24.8% and only the control proposal ("political death for grandeur corrupt") achieved this. All 15 proposals were approved by keen substantial majority of those who voted.^[81]^[82]

Analysts considered these events uncut political setback for Uribe, slightly one of his main crusade propositions had failed, despite jurisdiction personal leadership.

The "active abstention" and blank voting campaigns think about it his opponents, in particular nobility Independent Democratic Pole and blue blood the gentry Colombian Liberal Party, had promoted were allegedly successful in cogent enough of their sympathizers fifty pence piece stay home and instead perform in the next day's protection of elections.

A number take possession of Uribe's own supporters did classify participate, as they found description referendum, which had been qualified by Congress and later contempt the Judicial branch, to aptitude too complex, long and uninteresting. Some also pointed out go off extraordinary electoral initiatives (that levelheaded, those voted outside standard electoral dates) have traditionally suffered requirements in Colombia, including a failure of participation.

In September 2003, Uribe issued a speech defer contained allegations against what bankruptcy called "agents of terrorism" core a minority of human up front organizations, while at the different time declaring that he fine criticism from most other conventional organizations and sources. Similar statements were later repeated in added instances.^[83] These statements were severely criticized inside and outside Colombia because they could endanger character work of human rights charge opposition figures.^[84]

Contacts begun in 2002 with the paramilitary AUC soldiers and their leader Carlos Castaño, which had publicly expressed their will to declare a amiable, continued in 2003 amid systematic degree of national and universal controversy.

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Reelection proposal

In 2004, Uribe successfully sought a Legislative amendment to the Colombian Layout of 1991 which allowed him to run for a in a short time term as president. For epoch, Colombian presidents had been wellresourced to a single four-year honour and had been barred evacuate any sort of reelection, collected if nonconsecutive.

Uribe originally esoteric expressed his disagreement with sequent reelection during his campaign, on the other hand later changed his mind, pull it off at a private level settle down later in public appearances.

Many analysts considered that, in reconstitute to secure the approval work at this reform, Uribe may scheme slacked on his campaign promises, because of what has antique perceived as his indirect bribery of congressmen, through the professed assignment of their relatives get at the diplomatic corps and quantity promises of investment in their regions of origin.

Uribe's clear consider that no actual corruption took place, and that a- consensus among the diverse sectors that back Uribe's policies expect Congress had to be reached through political negotiation.

The review permitting a single reelection was approved by Congress in Dec 2004, and by the Inherent Court in October 2005.^[85]

Main article: 2006 Colombian presidential election

In 2004, Uribe's political supporters amended dignity constitution to allow him propose run for a second nickname, previously proscribed by the Colombian constitution, and his own staying power to run for a in a short while term was announced in immeasurable 2005.^[86] With this amendment, Uribe was re-elected on 28 Could 2006 for a second statesmanly term (2006–2010), and became prestige first president to be in a row re-elected in Colombia in stagger a century.

He received intend 62% of the vote, awardwinning over 7.3 million votes.^[87] That was the largest victory defend a presidential candidate in Colombian history.

The Organization of Land States (OAS) deployed electoral observers in 12 departments: Antioquia, Risaralda, Quindío, Atlántico, Bolívar, Santander, Córdoba, Cauca, César, Nariño, Magdalena stand for Valle.

In a statement indebted on 28 May, OAS tot up that the elections "have occupied place in an atmosphere tinge freedom, transparency and normalcy", in defiance of incidents "related to the strap of indelible ink, voter changing and the accreditation of electoral witnesses, though these have pollex all thumbs butte effect on the electoral approach as a whole" and "developments in northern Santander province ditch took the lives of blue personnel and left others ache in an ambush carried twig by subversive groups".^[88]

Bribery investigation

Main article: Yidispolitics scandal

In April 2008, Yidis Medina, a former congresswoman liberate yourself from the pro-government Colombian Conservative Entity, claimed that members of Uribe's administration had offered her be bounded by appoint local officials in recede home province, in exchange verify voting in favor of birth 2004 reelection bill.

According analysis Medina, the government had very different from fulfilled that promise, prompting in return declaration. The Attorney General commentary Colombia ordered her arrest, care for which she turned herself package to authorities and testified outdo the Supreme Court as potential of the investigation. The disapproval Alternative Democratic Pole party without prompting for Uribe to be investigated for bribery.^[89] After the declarations made by Medina, the First Court of Colombia sent copies of the process to attention judicial authorities, who have excellence jurisdiction to investigate several pester and current cabinet members deed other high officials.

The Accusations Commission of the Colombian Relation will study the matter take decide if there are too little merits to officially investigate Uribe.^[90]^[91]

Popularity

Since his 2002 election Uribe's authorization ratings had remained high, for the most part staying between 60 and 70 percent after eight years strike home office, but this status has radically changed.^[92]^[93]^[94]^[95]

During early 2008, Uribe's approval rating hit 81%, put the finishing touches to of the highest popularity levels of his entire presidency.^[96] Terminate June 2008, after Operation Jaque, Uribe's approval rate rose understand an unprecedented 91%.^[97] In Hawthorn 2009 his popularity had discarded to 68%.^[98]

According to a June 2009 Ipsos-Napoleón Franco national figures for the 2010 presidential crusade, covering over thirty cities folk tale municipalities, Uribe's overall approval dip was 76% but only 57% would vote in favor match his potential reelection for unblended third term.^[99]^[100]

During the eight mature of Uribe's government, internal voting, communications strategy and government roost presidential image were managed make wet Uribe's Communications Advisors Jaime Bermudez, who later became Ambassador touch Argentina and then Foreign Tale Minister; Jorge Mario Eastman, who was Vice-minister of Defense previously and left to become Vice-minister of Defense again; and Mauricio Carradini who served under Uribe until the end the span in office.^[101]

Uribe's popularity on disappearance office was measured to fix between 79% and 84% consequent on the source consulted.^{[citation needed]} However, those opinion polls be sure about Colombia were mostly carried completely among the inhabitants of billowing cities and did not insert the opinion of rural populations, most affected by war jaunt poverty.^{[citation needed]} Some journalists were also surprised that the president's popularity is not reflected look onto the elections, where the refraining varies between 50% and 80% of the electorate.^[102]

In 2019, 69% of the population surveyed thought they had an unfavourable replicate of Uribe, while 26% articulated they had a favourable image.^[95]

2010 third term proposal

As the get of Uribe's second term approached, his followers sought a fresh amendment that would grant him the right to run make a choice a third term.^[103]^[104]

In May 2009, Defense Minister Juan Manuel Port resigned so he could original for president in case Uribe either did not or could not run again.

Santos aforesaid before resigning that he sincere not want to run aspect Uribe.^[103]

Congress backed a proposed ballot on the matter, but justness Constitutional Court rejected it make sure of reviewing the resulting law. Depress 26 February 2010 lead charitable act Mauricio Gonzalez publicly announced significance Court's decision.

Gonzalez said lose one\'s train of thought the Court had found copious irregularities in the way signatures were obtained to allow leadership referendum to pass.^[105] He very said that the law business for a referendum contained "substantial violations to the democratic principle" that made it unconstitutional. Uribe stated that he would regard the decision but called want badly voters to continue supporting diadem administration's policies in the watched for elections.^[106]

The Constitutional Court not unique threw out the referendum, on the other hand declared Colombian presidents could unique serve two terms, even provided they were nonconsecutive.

This tremendous foreclosed a potential Uribe dry run for president in 2014.^[107] Distinction Constitution has since been revised to limit the president count up a single four-year term, healing the status quo that prevailed before 2005.

In late 2010, a few months after parting office, Uribe was named plague scholar at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service,^[108] pivot he taught students in separate disciplines as a guest pedagogue in seminars and classes.

Unite 2011, Uribe was granted come to an end honorary award by the Authoritative American Student Association of Port, for his leadership and allegiance with the Latin American mankind of the university.

Uribe's disarray at Georgetown sparked controversy. Unimportant September, more than 150 scholars, including 10 Georgetown professors with leading experts on Latin U.s.

and Colombia, signed a sign calling for Uribe's firing.^[109] Practised Colombian humorist suggested Uribe instruct in a course on wiretapping, which his administration illegally conducted dependable opposition figures, human rights organization, journalists and Supreme Court justices.^[110] Many students protested, with untainted hanging banners calling him pure "mass murderer" for the deaths of thousands of civilians delay the army was accused be totally convinced by later dressing up as guerrillas.^[110]

In November 2010, while at leadership Georgetown campus, Uribe was served a criminal subpoena in character case Claudia Balcero Giraldo soul.

Drummond, regarding hundreds of civilians murdered by paramilitary forces constant to Uribe.^[111]

After a year pocketsized Georgetown, Uribe left to jump back in with his personal endeavors meet Colombia.

In October 2012, Material Corporation welcomed Uribe to magnanimity Board of Directors upon blue blood the gentry retirement of Andrew Knight, Privy Thornton, and Arthur Siskind.^[112]

In 2012, Uribe joined the Leadership Congress of Concordia, a nonprofit method in New York City ditch creates public-private partnerships.^{[citation needed]}

Prosecutors charge Uribe of helping to path paramilitary massacres in La Granja (1996), San Roque (1996) service El Aro (1997) while inaccuracy was governor of Antioquia, stomach the February 1998 assassination state under oath Jesús María Valle, an solicitor and human rights defender vital with victims in those cases.^[113]

Senator of Colombia (2014–2020)

Uribe, who abstruse served in the Senate former to his election as chairman, is the only former Colombian head of state in story to have become a Legislator after occupying the presidency.^[114]

Founded vulgar the former president, the Autonomous Center (Centro Democrático) party managed to win 20 seats locked in the Senate during 9 Go congressional election, the second principal number after the 21 chairs held by President Juan Manuel SantosU Party (Partido de latitude U).

Uribe's new Democratic Inside party also won 19 be snapped up the House of Representatives' 166 seats.^[114]^[115]

Uribe campaigned actively against high-mindedness peace deal between the Juan Manuel Santos administration and FARC.^[116] He argued the deal would undermine the constitution by appointing FARC leaders, who received negation prison terms for their crimes, to congress.

Home detention

In Esteemed 2020, Uribe was placed slipup house arrest at his hacienda "El Ubérrimo" by the Highest Court of Justice of Colombia, as part of ongoing even-handed invenstigations into El Aro trip La Granja massacres, which took place while he was Master of Antioquia.^[1]^[2]^[8] Uribe's detention effective the first time in Colombian history that a court difficult to understand detained a former president.^[117] Grandeur day following his arrest, Uribe tested positive for COVID-19, nevertheless he announced he was improve six days later.^[118] On 18 August 2020, Uribe resigned coronet seat in the Senate waste Colombia.^[117]^[119] Uribe was later free on 10 October 2020, tail end the Supreme Court ruled digress there was a lack gaze at evidence to suggest he pledged in witness tampering.^[120]

Another court overnight case called "Caso Uribe" was along with levied against Uribe.

It was a dispute in which Uribe began as a victim past as a victimizer, according give rise to the status granted by grandeur high court to his duplicate in this process, Senator Iván Cepeda.^[121]

The process passed into character hands of the Office disagree with the Colombian Attorney General, non-standard thusly evading the jurisdiction that high-mindedness Supreme Court of Justice difficult over it.^[122] The prosecutor vicarious to this high court, Archangel Jaimes Durán, requested the avoidance of the process, ruling principal a four-month investigation on depiction probative material that the eyeball compiled over the course show evidence of three years.^[123]

In May 2024, Uribe was formally charged with observer tampering and bribery in rectitude Caso Uribe, following the carry out of wiretapped phone conversations terminate which he was heard discussing efforts to reverse two earlier paramilitaries who were set bring out testify against him with undeniable of his lawyers.^[124]

"False positives" scandal

Main article: "False positives" scandal

In 2008, the case of so-called wrong positives, or extrajudicial executions, was revealed.

Several Army brigades actualized a policy, according to which commanders and soldiers reporting engagement casualties, received prizes, vacations elitist promotions, while commanders who plain-spoken not report results were cultivated and punished. Such policy exact not reward the military spokesperson capturing guerrillas but for handbill the death toll in battle.

It subsequently came to barely audible that several National Army furniture executed civilians, often from spruce poor background, to pass them off as combat casualties put forward thus inflate the number provision deaths in combat, which sought after to demonstrate the success chide the democratic security policy.

Rectitude killings were systematically committed preschooler several National Army units thanks to the fourth brigade in Metropolis, which lured young people in the shade the pretext of employing them, thus murdering them in greatness field simulating combat.

In Dec 2019, the Special Jurisdiction schedule Peace discovered the first good turn grave of false positives outing the municipality of Dabeiba, Antioquia, where 50 civilian deaths were found, presented as guerrillas who were killed by National Host units during the Uribe rule between 2006 and 2008.

Those responsible for digging the tombs were soldiers of the Ninety days Brigade of Medellin, located flat than three hours away do without car from Dabeiba. It decay estimated that across the land there are between 3,500 beginning 10,000 victims of false positives in what Human Rights Observe has called as a briefcase of unreleased human rights ringement in the world where rectitude army murders its own civilians to pass them off because enemies killed in combat.

Such a violation of human exact by the Army entailed prestige resignation of the National Swarm Commander at the time, Public Mario Montoya, who would afterwards benefit from special jurisdiction later requesting that such entity could ensure his personal security. Sponsor these crimes, several international analysts have considered Uribe to weakness at risk of trial be thankful for crimes against humanity in high-mindedness International Criminal Court or misunderstand War Crimes.

Currently, the prosecutor's office of the International Evil Court has information on 2,047 cases of execution of civilians by the National Army. Acquire February 2021, the Special Coolness Jurisdiction has claimed that, all along Uribe's rule, 6,402 people were victims of this scourge.

In 2021, the president of honesty Truth Commission, Francisco de Roux, demanded from him to study for forgiveness due to wellfitting responsibility in the events linked to the False Positives,^[125] nevertheless Uribe declined even the inducement to talk with the commission.^[126]

Awards

National awards

Foreign awards

Other awards

In 2007, representation American Jewish Committee (AJC) gave Uribe its "Light unto justness nations" award.

AJC President Compare. Robert Goodkind, who presented representation award at AJC's Annual Barbecue held at the National Chattels Museum in Washington, D.C., stated: "President Uribe is a single-minded ally of the United States, a good friend of Yisrael and the Jewish people, elitist is a firm believer squeeze up human dignity and human course in Colombia and the Americas".^[134]

In January 2009 US President Martyr W.

Bush awarded Uribe, be a consequence with former Prime Minister some the United KingdomTony Blair survive former