Colombia's Constitutional Court ordered a recall referendum within 60 days against Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro.

Opponents of the former left-wing rebel have been seeking to remove him from office practically since he took over as mayor in 2012 and achieved the necessary number of signatures for the referendum in 2013.

However, last year Petro was temporarily ousted as mayor after Colombia's conservative inspector-general ordered his removal and banned him from holding public office for 15 years. After a long fight and a series of mass protests carried out by his supporters, President Juan Manuel Santos reinstated Petro to the position to which he was elected.

Through his twitter account, Petro responded, “Who said a progressive government can carry out its mandate in peace. We have inherited difficulties and we will assume them.”

Quien dijo que un gobierno progresista podría ejercer el mandato tranquilamente. Somos hijos de las dificultades y las asumimos

— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) March 18, 2015

Meanwhile, the head of the National Civil Registry said in a press conference that they will appeal the court decision to revive the recall referendum against Petro, since there are precautionary measures to protect his tenure.

After learning of the court decision, the Interior Minister Juan Fernando Cristo said a referendum is neither "logical nor desirable."