International
The Colombian Prosecutor’s Office will bring former President Álvaro Uribe to trial for bribery of witnesses
A Colombian prosecutor filed an accusation on Tuesday against former President Álvaro Uribe “as an alleged determiner of the crimes of bribery of witnesses in criminal proceedings and procedural fraud,” which indicates that he will be called to trial, the Prosecutor’s Office reported.
The accusation was presented by the first prosecutor delegated to the Supreme Court of Justice Gilberto Villareal, who took over the case on January 16.
This case dates back to 2012 when Uribe sued Iván Cepeda, senator of the left-wing Party Polo Democrático Alternativo (PDA), who at that time was preparing a complaint in Congress against him for alleged ties to paramilitarism, for alleged ties.
However, the Supreme Court of Justice decided not to open an investigation against the congressman and, instead, initiated a lawsuit against the former president for manipulation of witnesses.
According to sources of the Prosecutor’s Office, from the physical evidence and evidence, it was concluded that there were reasons to accuse Uribe, who was president of Colombia between 2002 and 2010.
“The decision of the delegated prosecutor was adopted after two requests for pre-exclusion from different prosecutors that were rejected by the criminal judges of the competent circuit,” the first in April 2022 and the second in May 2023.
The Prosecutor’s Office added that once the judicial distribution process is completed, “the hearing to formalize the accusation will be held, on the date and time set by the judiciary.”
Upon assuming the case, prosecutor Villarreal had 90 days to file the accusation against Uribe, a deadline that will be met on April 15.
The accusation of bribery in criminal proceedings has to do with the alleged payment of bribes to Carlos Enrique Vélez and Juan Guillermo Monsalve, who are imprisoned in the prisons of Palmira and La Picota in Bogotá, respectively, as well as a woman identified as Eurídice Cortés, to benefit the former president with his statements.
While the procedural fraud involves all the irregularities of the case.
Despite the accusation, Uribe will be able to respond to the process in freedom since that is usual in all cases and the deprivation of liberty is an exceptional measure, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
Left-wing senator Iván Cepeda, recognized as a victim in the process against Álvaro Uribe for bribery of witnesses and procedural fraud, assured on Tuesday that the decision of the Prosecutor’s Office to call the former president to trial is “fair.”
“Today comes to the end a decision that we consider to be fair,” Cepeda told journalists, also assuring that former President Uribe “has the full right to due process, to defense, but also we have the truth and justice to prevail.”
International
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
Colombian President Gustavo Petro voiced his “concern” on Thursday over recent events in Peru, following the death of a protester reportedly shot during a massive demonstration in Lima against the government and Congress.
“I must express my concern over the events in Peru. A young artist has been killed in citizens’ protests,” Petro wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Colombian leader also noted that in Peru, “a popularly elected president remains imprisoned without conviction,” referring to Pedro Castillo, who led the country from July 2021 to December 2022 until he was removed by Congress following a failed attempted coup.
“This is a blatant violation of the American Convention on Human Rights,” Petro stated, adding, “I hope Peru seeks social and political dialogue to legitimize its public institutions.”
On Wednesday, Peru experienced widespread protests in several cities, with the largest demonstration in Lima in recent years, driven by citizens’ concerns over corruption and public insecurity.
During the capital’s mobilization, the Ombudsman’s Office confirmed the death of Eduardo Ruiz, 32, and reported clashes that left over 100 injured, including 78 police officers and 24 protesters, as well as ten arrests.
The Attorney General’s Office, investigating Ruiz’s death “in the context of serious human rights violations,” confirmed that the protester was shot.
International
Peru’s interim president José Jerí refuses to resign after protester’s death in Lima
Peru’s interim president, José Jerí, stated Thursday that he has no intention of resigning from the post he assumed last Friday, following the removal of former president Dina Boluarte, despite growing unrest over the death of a protester during massive demonstrations in Lima on Wednesday.
“I will not resign,” Jerí declared outside the Government Palace in Lima, where he returned on foot after making a surprise visit to Congress headquarters alongside Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez.
Earlier, after leaving the Legislative Palace, the president acknowledged that the country is going through “difficult times” and condemned what he described as “a small group attempting to impose an agenda different from the citizens’ expression of discontent.”
Jerí expressed condolences for the death of Eduardo Ruiz, a 32-year-old man who died during Wednesday’s protest against the government and Congress, amid growing anger over corruption and insecurity.
“We stand in solidarity with his family,” he said, without offering further details about the incident, which has sparked outrage among Peruvians.
The president also described the demonstrations as “a legitimate civic expression” that later turned violent due to “certain groups seeking to provoke chaos by exploiting a peaceful citizen movement.”
“In a state governed by the rule of law, the rights of both demonstrators and security forces must be protected,” Jerí emphasized, adding that “as a result of that situation, this unfortunate death occurred outside the main area where the protest was taking place.”
International
Mexican government prioritizes 191 communities after deadly floods
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the death toll from recent rains and floods across several central states has risen to 66, while the federal government has activated air bridges and prioritized assistance in 191 isolated communities.
“Unfortunately, 66 people have died, and 75 remain missing,” the president said during her morning press conference. She added that the official death toll will be updated later in a new report.
As of Tuesday, authorities had reported 64 fatalities. Sheinbaum also announced the creation of a public information center to centralize official data on the deceased, missing persons, damaged homes, and cut-off communities.
According to the president, the number of missing persons has decreased thanks to coordination with state authorities.
“Through calls to phone line 079, 103 people who had been reported missing have now been located,” she explained.
Priority Municipalities
The president noted that the federal government has classified 191 communities as ‘priority’, a designation based mainly on the percentage of homes affected.
Petro expresses concern over fatal shooting during mass protests in Lima
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