FILE – In this Jan. 1, 2012 file photo, Bogota’s Mayor Gustavo Petro delivers his inaugural speech during his swearing-in ceremony in Bogota, Colombia. Inspector-General Alejandro Ordonez has ordered Petro removed from office over alleged mismanagement of a garbage-collection crisis. It was not immediately clear if Petro can remain in office while he appeals the ruling. (AP Photo/William Fernando Martinez, File)
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia’s inspector-general has ordered Bogota’s left-leaning mayor removed from office over alleged mismanagement of a garbage-collection crisis.
It was not immediately clear if Mayor Gustavo Petro can remain in office while he appeals the ruling by Alejandro Ordonez.
Ordonez is a conservative political ally of former President Alvaro Uribe.
His decision would disqualify Petro from holding political office for 15 years.
Ordonez removed prominent leftist politician Piedad Cordoba from the Senate in 2010 and barred her from holding political office for 18 years for allegedly promoting leftist rebels.
Petro tried unsuccessfully in December 2012 to fire garbage-collection contractors and replace them with a city-run service.
A figure with national appeal, Petro finished third in 2010 presidential elections.
He backed Ordonez’s inspector-general candidacy while in the Senate.
