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Sacked Bogota mayor hails reinstatement ruling

Gustavo Petro fell victim to a political axing after he went to war on privateers

Sacked Bogota mayor Gustavo Petro hailed a Colombian Superior Tribunal ruling today that he should be reinstated “within 48 hours” as a victory for city residents.

The leftwinger and former M19 guerilla was the victim of a political decision by right-wing Inspector General Alejandro Ordonez to order his removal for sacking privateers in charge of refuse disposal in the capital.

He was removed from office last month after President Juan Manuel Santos rejected an Inter-American Human Rights Commission call for a stay of execution.

However, despite his earlier stance, President Santos indicated yesterday that he had signed a decree ordering Mr Petro’s reinstatement.

“My obligation, as president of the republic, is to follow the law and what the justices decide,” the president declared.

It remains to be seen what will happen if, as expected, the mayor responds to the wishes of those who elected him by ending the contracts of corrupt privateers.

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