Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe Vélez was sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for fraud and bribery in a criminal proceeding. The ruling, issued by a judge who Uribe has accused of bias, has sparked widespread controversy and mobilizations across Colombia. Uribe's defense has filed multiple legal appeals, including a tutela seeking to reverse the judge's decision and allow him to continue his trial while free. However, the Superior Tribunal of Bogotá denied his requests to suspend the house arrest and to appeal the conviction while out of custody. Uribe's supporters, including former President Iván Duque, have proposed legal actions and public demonstrations to advocate for his release. On August 7, hundreds of thousands of Colombians participated in nationwide marches backing Uribe and opposing the sentence. During these events, Uribe expressed gratitude for the support and called for the election of a transitional government in 2026. The Defender of the People of Colombia has urged respect for the judge who issued the ruling. The case remains under appeal before the Colombian Supreme Court.