Thousands of people rallied in Bogota, Colombia's central square to protest the sacking of the mayor for having de-privatized a public service.  The mayor had been expected to be a potential presidential candidate next year, but is banned from holding office for 15 years.

“I'm asking the world for solidarity.  We're facing a coup against the progressive government of the city of Bogota,” said Gustavo Petro, a former member of the defunct revolutionary group M-19.  

An ultra right wing prosecutor claimed Petro had violated the principles of the free market and endangered people's health.  The complaint stems from a few days in 2012, when Bogota’s garbage wasn’t picked up during confusion as the waste management system was changed.

Colombia’s constitution allows prosecutors to check the performance of those holding public office.  Inspector-General Alejandro Ordonez is already notorious for openly opposing gay marriage and the current peace talks with the Farc rebels to end Colombia’s 50-year-old civil war, and now he’s undone a democratic election.

“We have to revise the constitutional norm that allows the destitution of an official chosen by popular vote,” said Colombian Justice Minister Alfonso Gomez Mendez.