Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has resigned his Senate seat, causing a major, political shake-up in the country. He’s being investigated by the country’s Supreme Court. CGTN’s Michelle Begue filed this report from Bogota.
“The supreme court has called me to an inquiry,” Uribe wrote on Twitter, adding that, quote: “I feel morally impeded from being a senator.”
La Corte Suprema me llama a indagatoria, no me oyeron previamente, me siento moralmente impedido para ser senador, enviaré mi carta de renuncia para que mi defensa no interfiera con las tareas del Senado
— Álvaro Uribe Vélez (@AlvaroUribeVel) July 24, 2018
Uribe is under investigation for possible witness tampering and bribery. Colombia’s Supreme Court has called on him to testify.
“Senator Alvaro Uribe and Representative Alvaro Hernan Prada will be linked to the process through an inquiry,” President of the Supreme Court Luis Hernandez said. “Before presenting themselves to this process, they will have the opportunity to hear the evidence and they will have enough time to prepare their defense against the charges against them.”
A criminal conviction could lead to jail time. Uribe tweeted he would be working on his defense, and his lawyer said he would cooperate with the investigation.
After the announcement, President-Elect Ivan Duque expressed his solidarity with the former president.
“We are witnesses of his honor, his integrity, his patriotism and his unquestionable service to the country and to the rule of law,” Duque said.
The president-elect was Uribe’s candidate during this year’s presidential elections. Duque described Uribe as his mentor. Duque’s critics argued that he would not only be guided, but controlled by the former president. Analysts now wonder how this development will effect Duque when he takes office on August 7th.