The dismissal of Bogota’s Mayor: a challenge for Colombian institutions in the midst of the peace talks

2014 begins with a challenging political and social situation for Colombia’s capital city. On December 9 of 2013, as a result of a disciplinary proceeding that lasted one year, Colombian Inspector General, Alejandro Ordóñez, announced a controversial decision: to dismiss Bogota’s Mayor, Gustavo Petro, and disqualify him to perform public functions for 15 years. The opponents and supporters of Mr. Ordoñez’s decision are divided in the evaluation of its legality and legitimacy.