Colombia's top administrative court permanently removes a departmental governor for illegally campaigning for rival-party candidates

Colombia's Consejo de Estado annulled the election of Rafael Alejandro Martinez as governor of the Magdalena department for the 2024-2027 term, finding he committed 'doble militancy' (illegal dual political allegiance) by publicly endorsing two candidates from a different party at a September 21, 2023 campaign event in Santa Marta, while himself running under another party's banner. After the court rejected his final appeal, the ruling took final effect July 25, 2025, formally ending his governorship.