Colombia Politics: Former President Alvaro Uribe resigns Senate seat amid investigation

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01:42

A political shake-up in Colombia. Former president Alvaro Uribe has resigned his Senate seat. He's being investigated by the country's Supreme Court. CGTN's Michelle Begue has more from Bogota.

The powerful former President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, resigned from his Senate seat on Tuesday.

"The supreme court has called me to an inquiry," he wrote on Twitter, adding that "I feel morally impeded from being a senator."

Uribe is under investigation for possible witness tampering and bribery. Colombia's Supreme Court has called on him to testify.

LUIS HERNANDEZ PRESIDENT OF THE SUPREME COURT "Senator Alvaro Uribe and Representative Alvaro Hernan Prada will be linked to the process through an inquiry. 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.

IVAN DUQUE PRESIDENT-ELECT OF COLOMBIA "We are witnesses of his honor, his integrity, his patriotism and his unquestionable service to the country and to the rule of law."

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.

MICHELLE BEGUE BOGOTA "Analysts now wonder how this development will effect Duque when he takes office on August 7th. Michelle Begue, CGTN Bogota."