Colombia: prosecutor punishes deputy who tried to remove Petro

The deputy heads the House of Representatives’ Accusations and Investigations Committee, which investigates the government official for alleged electoral interference. She would have asked for Petro’s temporary departure from his position as head of the Executive until the end of the second round.

A document involving Petro’s removal request was leaked this Wednesday and generated controversy in the Colombian political community. It was later confirmed that it was a draft that had not yet been presented to the other congressmen in the House of Representatives.

The deputy prosecutor, Esiquio Sánchez, then ordered Arizabaleta’s suspension this Thursday until April 20, the date of renewal of Congress and, consequently, of the legislative mandate for which she was elected.

The prosecutor’s office also opened disciplinary proceedings against her for allegedly committing a “very serious infraction” with her conduct.

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.