BOGOTA, June 10 (Xinhua/GNA) — Colombian officials and lawmakers, on Wednesday rejected reports that President Gustavo Petro had been temporarily suspended, saying the congressional body cited in the document lacks authority to remove him from office and that the alleged order has no legal effect.
Interior Minister, Armando Benedetti, said on social media that the Commission of Investigation and Accusation is only an investigative body and cannot suspend the president.
Under Colombia’s constitutional procedures, only the Senate may make such a decision after the full House acts as an accusing body in criminal or disciplinary proceedings, Benedetti said.
House Representative Alirio Uribe Munoz, said the alleged ruling had never been formally filed with the commission’s secretariat or debated internally.
“It is legally non-existent. It appears to be the leak of a draft with no legal existence,” he said.
Colombian media reported that a document, allegedly signed by the commission’s president had circulated online, claiming Petro would be suspended until June 21.
GNA