The head of a Colombian legislative commission has proposed suspending President Gustavo Petro from office following a controversy over his social media post referencing Nazism.

The proposal for suspension comes after Petro made a tweet containing what critics characterized as a "Heil Hitler" reference, which sparked widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally.

Two dozen Latino lawmakers in the United States issued a joint statement condemning Petro's social media post. "The use of references to Nazism must not become a rhetorical tool to discredit political or ideological positions," the lawmakers stated in their criticism of the Colombian president's remarks.

The controversy has escalated tensions surrounding Petro's presidency, with the legislative commission leader now moving to formalize proceedings that could potentially remove him from office. The suspension proposal represents a significant political challenge to Petro's administration.

Details about the specific content of Petro's tweet and the exact procedures for the proposed suspension were not immediately available. The situation continues to develop as Colombian political institutions respond to the international criticism of the president's social media activity.