Colombia’s national police director lost his job after claiming to have used exorcisms to catch criminals.
Gustavo Petro, the country’s president, dismissed General Henry Sanabria from office on Wednesday.
Neither President Petro nor the Colombian Defence Ministry have publicly elaborated on the reasons behind the decision.
But Sanabria, a devout Catholic, had already been under investigation over allegations he’d allowed his religious beliefs to interfere with the execution of his duties as the country’s senior-most police officer.
His statements were made during an interview with Semana magazine last month.
He claimed that Colombian police chiefs have used religious practices, including exorcism, for more than 50 years to take down powerful criminal figures like Pablo Escobar.
Sanabria added ‘criminals use witchcraft’ and that there is no doubt about the existence of the devil.
He also issued a strong condemnation of abortion, which is legal in Colombia.
Alfonso Prada, the Colombian Interior Minister, stressed on Wednesday the decision to dismiss Sanabria was not related to his religious beliefs.
Appointing Sanabria last August, President Petro said that while Sanabria would never be persecuted for his faith, there would nevertheless have to be a clear separation between state and religion.
He issued a statement on Twitter thanking the former police chief for his service.
General Sanabria will be replaced by another retired general, William Salamanca, who currently represents Colombia as consul in Miami.
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