Colombia President Gustavo Petro faces suspension proposal

A member of Colombia's lower house, Representative Gloria Arizabaleta of the Pacto Histórico, submitted a motion to suspend President Gustavo Petro until the second‑round election on June 21, accusing him of illegal participation in the campaign through at least 22 social‑media references.

Government officials, including Interior Minister Armando Benedetti and Justice Minister Jorge Iván Cuervo, said the commission lacks the authority to suspend a president, noting that only the Senate can take such action. Opposition presidential candidate Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the proposal as a "monumental prevarication" and a self‑inflicted legislative move designed to let Petro campaign, urging national control bodies and the international community to monitor the process. Petro, currently in New York, has not commented on the proposal.