Colombia's interior minister has resigned as a political crisis shakes the government of President Gustavo Petro, following his decision to appoint a controversial politician as chief of staff.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has requested the resignation of his government's cabinet members, he said in a post on social media on Sunday.

Colombia’s environment minister said she handed in her letter of resignation, the third member of the Gustavo Petro administration to quit, after a chaotic televised cabinet meeting last week ended in recriminations and tears.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro asked members of his Cabinet to resign on Sunday. The demand came after he criticized the Cabinet for its underwhelming performance for five straight hours on national television on Tuesday.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has asked his cabinet members to resign ahead of a reshuffle, he said on Sunday, after the environment minister said she resigned in protest of a cabinet appointment.