Álvaro Uribe Vélez served as the 31st President of Colombia from 2002 to 2010. A lawyer by training, he previously held positions as Mayor of Medellín and Governor of Antioquia. His presidency was marked by a strong security policy, known as "democratic security," which aimed to combat guerrilla groups and paramilitaries. While his policies were credited with reducing crime and increasing foreign investment, his tenure also faced significant controversy and accusations of human rights abuses.