Colombia’s Inspector General asked the Valle department’s High Council of the Judiciary to reinstate a ban against former Governor Juan Carlos Abadia from holding public office.
The Inspector General’s office said that the suspension of the ban by the council “makes a mockery of disciplinary functions and public order and morality.”
Carlina Varela, the High Council magistrate who approved the suspension, said an appeal by Abadia must be analyzed before the ban can be imposed.
Abadia was banned in May from holding public office for ten years, after he illegally supported former Agriculture Minister Andres Felipe Arias’ bid for the presidency in the Conservative Party primaries. The council temporarily suspended the ban Tuesday until it has been officially reviewed and approved, meaning Abadia is able to resume his post as governor for the time being.
According to Colombian law, 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.