11.06.2026 08:00
Claims that Colombian President Gustavo Petro was temporarily suspended from office for interfering in elections have stirred the country's agenda. Government officials and commission members stated that no such decision was made and that the commission lacks the authority to suspend the president, while Petro announced he would complete his term.
Allegations of President Gustavo Petro's "suspension from office" have sparked political and legal debates in Colombia.
Gloria Arizabaleta, head of the House of Representatives' Investigation and Impeachment Commission, argued that Petro, who is under investigation, should be temporarily suspended from his duties until June 21 at 4:00 PM, when voting ends in the second round of the presidential election.
REASON: ALLEGATION OF ELECTION INTERFERENCE
Arizabaleta's statement claimed that Petro, who should remain neutral during the election process, engaged in political activities in favor of ruling coalition candidate Ivan Cepeda.
It was noted that the president is under investigation for "political interference," particularly due to his social media posts and public statements.
STRONG REACTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT
However, the legal validity of this decision quickly became a point of contention. Government officials and legal experts stated that the commission lacks the authority to remove or suspend the president.
Colombian Interior Minister Armando Benedetti said in a statement that the House of Representatives' Investigation and Impeachment Commission only has the authority to conduct investigations, adding that the power to decide on the president's suspension lies with the Senate. Benedetti stated, "The only institution authorized to make a decision on this matter is the Senate."
"NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE"
Alejandro Ocampo, a member of the House of Representatives' Investigation and Impeachment Commission, also denied reports that Petro had been suspended. Ocampo stated that no decision had been made by the commission regarding the president, and that reports in some media outlets did not reflect reality.
STATEMENT FROM PETRO
President Gustavo Petro, in his statement on the allegations, emphasized that he would complete his term. Petro said, "There are allegations that I will remain in office outside of the Colombian Constitution. That is not the case. I will leave on the last day of my term."
EYES ON THE JUNE 21 ELECTION
The second round of Colombia's presidential election will be held on June 21. The election will feature ruling coalition candidate Ivan Cepeda against far-right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella.
Experts note that, under the current constitutional order, a decision to suspend or remove a president cannot be made by a single commission head alone, and that such a process falls within the Senate's jurisdiction.