Álvaro Uribe, former president of Colombia, has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for fraud and bribery, marking the first time a former Colombian head of state has received a judicial sentence. The ruling, issued by a judge who set a deadline of August 13 for Uribe's defense to file an appeal, has sparked controversy and divided public opinion within Colombia. Uribe's legal team has filed a tutela—a legal action—to overturn the house arrest order and allow him to continue the appeals process while free. However, the Superior Tribunal of Bogotá has denied a provisional suspension of his house arrest. Uribe and his supporters, including former president Iván Duque and members of his political party, argue that the sentence is politically motivated and have called for his immediate release. Uribe himself has denounced judicial bias and invoked international justice. Opposition groups have organized protests against the sentence, warning of broader political implications. Uribe's lawyer emphasized his client's presumption of innocence until all legal appeals are exhausted. As of early August 2025, Uribe has formally begun serving his house arrest sentence, wearing prisoner identification, and has vowed to continue his legal battle.