The Supreme Judicial Council has issued a definitive dismissal of Governor of Valle, Juan Carlos Abadia, overruling his successful appeal against a ten-year ban from public office.
The High court reversed the decision made in June by the Valle Sectional Council, reinstating the governor to office, a decision to which President Alvaro Uribe lent his support.
Abadia was originally suspended from politics by the Inspector General after being found in violation of Colombian law by supporting the candidacy of former Agriculture Minister Andres Felipe Arias in the Conservative Party primaries. He was issued with a ten year suspension from public office.
According to the Colombian constitution, elected officials are not allowed to interfere in or influence elections in any way, meaning that they are barred from openly supporting or opposing candidates.
Judge Emma Garzon, President of the Judiciary’s Disciplinary Board told W radio; “The Supreme Judicial Council overturned the decision by the judicial panel of Valle de Cauca and instead declared the invalidity of the protection given to the governor, allowing him another route to the administrative court, before whom he may request claims.”