Categories: World

Colombia’s Petro fires police chief who claims he used exorcisms to catch fugitives

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for April 12

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Wednesday removed the national police director who had talked about using exorcisms to catch fugitives.

Neither Petro nor the Defense Ministry elaborated on reasons for the dismissal of Gen. Henry Sanabria, a staunch Catholic who was appointed by Petro in August of last year. But Sanabria was under an internal investigation by the ministry over whether he had inappropriately allowed his religious beliefs to infringe on his duties.

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES TRILATERAL DEAL WITH PANAMA AND COLOMBIA TO STOP DARIEN GAP MIGRATION

Sanabria had unleashed a debate about the impact of his faith on the police after his statements in an interview last month including that police had used exorcisms to catch drug kingpins and guerrilla leaders. He also issued a strong condemnation of abortion, which is legal in Colombia.

Although Colombia is a predominantly Catholic country of conservative and religious traditions, it is a secular state under its constitution. Petro, who was sworn in as the country’s first-ever leftist president last August, said that Sanabria would never be persecuted over his religion, but that there must be separation between religious beliefs and the state.

Gen. Henry Sanabria, Colombias national police director, was removed from office over statements and practices deemed inappropriately religious by President Gustavo Petros government. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File)

Interior Minister Alfonso Prada said Wednesday that Sanabria’s departure had nothing to do with his expressions of his religious beliefs, since the government respects freedom of thought. He said only that the dismissal was part of a new start for the national police force.

In a Twitter message, Petro thanked Sanabria for his work without referring to the reason for his removal.

PABLO ESCOBAR HIPPO KILLED IN HIGHWAY COLLISION IN COLOMBIA

Sanabria will be replaced by a retired general of the police force, William Salamanca, who currently is Colombia’s consul in Miami.

In an interview in Semana Magazine last month, Sanabria said that the police forces carried out exorcisms to catch top leaders of drug trafficking gangs and guerrilla groups.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

He also spoke out strongly against abortion, which has been legalized in Colombia by the Constitutional Court since February of last year. Sanabria said that abortion is a “very serious sin” because it implies “killing a little person who is being formed.”

Share

Recent Posts

Los Angeles becomes sanctuary despite dozens of murderous, child-preying illegals arrested in city this year

close Video Caravan of 1,500 migrants forms in Mexico A caravan of about 1,500 migrants…

35 minutes ago

Dem attorneys general prepare for legal battle with Trump after filing hundreds of challenges last term

Roughly half the country is represented by Democratic attorneys general, and a significant number seem…

55 minutes ago

Trump dropped Matt Gaetz after complaining about high political cost of defending him

Donald Trump was in the room with JD Vance, Stephen Miller and other top advisers…

55 minutes ago

Police bust 3 thrill seekers in bathroom stall after trio spotted atop iconic Nashville building

close Video Citizen calls 911 after spotting men atop iconic Nashville building 911 caller describes…

5 hours ago

President-elect Trump appoints three key positions in White House offices

President-elect Trump announced three key appointments to White House offices on Monday, including two who…

6 hours ago

Russian forces capture former British soldier fighting for Ukraine in Kursk: report

close Video Former British soldier fighting for Ukraine captured by Russian forces A former British…

7 hours ago