Colombian president confirms ouster of Bogota mayor

Bogota's ousted mayor Gustavo Petro gestures during a speech to supporters at the mayor building in Bogota March 19, 2014. REUTERS/ John Vizcaino

BOGOTA (Reuters) - The mayor of Colombia's capital city Bogota was ousted from his post on Wednesday, President Juan Manuel Santos said in a controversial decision that could affect May presidential elections and a peace process with left-wing rebels.

Gustavo Petro, 53, a former guerrilla, was dismissed from his post by the inspector general in December last year over mismanagement but stayed pending a run of judicial appeals, the last of which ended on Tuesday and did not reverse the decision.