Colombia’s Foreign Minister met with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) at Washington on Tuesday to discuss the dismissal of Bogota’s former mayor.
The aim of Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin’s trip to the United States capital was to “strengthen and deepen the dialogue” between Colombia and the international organization, according to an IACHR press release.
President Juan Manuel Santos disregarded a request from the IACHR to keep former Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro in office, and sanctioned the demand from the Inspector General’s Office to dismiss and ban Petro from political office for 15 years.
MORE: Santos ignores international court ruling, replaces Bogota mayor
While a former Constitutional Court magistrate told Colombia Reports that there was no “direct and clear” violation of Colombia’s constitution by ignoring the IACHR’s request and Santos’, the international body has prioritized a response to the situation.
MORE: Ignoring IACHR no ‘direct and clear’ violation of Colombia’s constitution: former magistrate
Holguin’s visit represented a preemptive meeting to the IACHR’s pending response, and an opportunity to protect Colombia’s standing as a member in the organization.
“This [meeting] is for explaining in detail the position of the government in light of the recent precautionary request that the Commission made in support of the ex-mayor of Bogota, Gustavo Petro, and we reiterate the willingness of the government to continue attending to the concerns that arise in this matter,” read the Foreign Ministry’s press release.
MORE: The end of Petro: Bogota’s Mayor to leave office
Sources
- Comunicado de Prensa sobre la reunión sostenida entre la Canciller de Colombia y la CIDH (Foreign Ministry Press Office)
- Canciller se reunió con miembros de la CIDH por caso Petro (Semana)
