Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos Saturday denied the claim by the socialist party Polo Democratic that he is delaying the replacement of the suspended Bogota mayor Samuel Moreno.
The head of state said he is taking the measure of “requesting a closer analysis” of the three shortlisted candidates put forward by Polo Democratico because a preliminary analysis showed that two were “possibly unfit”.
Polo Democratico chairman Clara Lopez claims that he is purposefully delaying the replacement of Moreno who was suspended amid a corruption scandal regarding fraudulent contracts for public works in the city. Santos said that the government is being “completely transparent” with the country and with Bogota.
A new report from the Legal Office of the Presidency will be made known Monday or Tuesday. If the unsuitability of the unnamed candidates is proven, Santos will inform Polo Democratic. If this is not the case, the president will proceed to interview the candidates.
The three mayoral candidates are Mariela Barragan, Jaime Moreno and Tarcisio Mora.
