Parliamentary committee demands Petro’s removal during election

Gloria Arizabaleta, president of the parliamentary committee, ordered this Wednesday (10) the “provisional suspension” of the Colombian leader, while he is investigated for his alleged involvement in the campaign of his ally running for president, the left-wing senator Iván Cepeda.

The congresswoman responsible for the investigation, a member of the Historic Pact, a coalition of which Petro is part, ordered the president’s “provisional suspension from office” until 4pm on June 21st (local time), when the polls close for the second round of the presidential elections, in which the right-wing Abelardo da la Espriella and the left-wing Iván Cepeda are competing.

If this unprecedented measure is implemented, Petro will be the first Colombian president to be suspended from office, although the final decision in cases like this will need to be submitted to the full commission and, eventually, to the Chamber of Representatives, according to the newspaper. The Time.

Arizabaleta justified his decision by stating that he can order the president’s provisional suspension “as long as there is serious evidence that allows it to be proven that remaining in office, function or public service allows the perpetrator of the offense to interfere in the investigation process.”

The Colombian leader became the target of the parliamentary inquiry after making statements and publications on social media related to the elections during a period prohibited by national legislation.

The investigation was initiated after criticism from various political sectors and supervisory bodies regarding messages that Petro published in support of the ruling party candidate, Iván Cepeda, a few days before the first round.

Colombian law prohibits public officials from participating in political activities or intervening in electoral disputes, except to exercise the right to vote.

Petro currently enjoys constitutional immunity, meaning he cannot be investigated or tried by ordinary courts while in office. Despite this, the Constitution establishes that the Investigation and Accusation Committee of the Chamber of Deputies becomes the body responsible for receiving and investigating complaints against the head of State for possible crimes or disciplinary infractions.