On the program "Conversaciones Pendientes," Iván Cepeda spoke about the trial facing former President Álvaro Uribe for procedural fraud, the verdict of which will be read on July 28 at the Paloquemao Court in Bogotá. Cepeda reviewed the historical roots of the case, linked to the rise of drug trafficking, paramilitarism, and its relationship with political structures in Antioquia since the 1980s.
The senator highlighted the role of justice as a democratic factor and a means of restraint against political projects, as well as the importance of the victims' movement in bringing the truth to light. He recalled events such as the Jesús María Valle massacre, the emergence of the Bloque Metro (Metro Block), and the investigations into the Guacharacas Hacienda, emphasizing that these events marked a pattern of violence and territorial control.
Cepeda explained that some of the paramilitary leaders were extradited to the United States to prevent them from testifying about their ties to political actors. Among them, he mentioned Salvatore Mancuso, whose career and connections in Córdoba were documented in previous investigations. The congressman warned that this practice hampered access to judicial truth in Colombia.
The interviewee described the existence of a structure for the purchase or fabrication of witnesses, with two main stages: one between 2012 and 2018, and another beginning with the intervention of attorney Diego Cadena and his collaborators. According to Cepeda, the Supreme Court of Justice documented the persistence of these practices and their repetition by different actors for the same purpose.
Regarding the role of the media, Cepeda highlighted the work of journalists like Daniel Coronell, whose investigative work has helped shed light on key incidents and bring them to the public eye, even in the face of attacks on social media and media pressure.
Regarding victims, she emphasized that legal recognition of those who suffered state or paramilitary violence only came with the 2011 Victims Law. Prior to that, organizations representing these individuals faced high levels of persecution and limited visibility.
Cepeda insisted that his goal is not revenge, but rather to foster a national agreement that will allow for acknowledgment of responsibility and the truth about what happened. He argued that the foundation of a solid democracy is historical clarification and restorative justice, which includes all affected sectors.
Finally, he stated that the upcoming hearing and ruling represent an opportunity for the country to reflect on the power structures that have shaped its recent history and to move toward a justice model that prioritizes victims and social reparations.