Uribe was forced to defend his cabinet minister

In an off the cuff remark after congress defied the government over the legislation Fernando Londono said: "Those who read the Constitution when all this is over will ask what type of cigarettes those who approved this were smoking."

Mr Londono was quick to apologise saying "its not proper for the government to insult congress," but the remark had already sparked off a furore which forced Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe to apologise on behalf of his minister.

This failed to placate the congress members who have responded by trying to bring impeachment proceedings against the minister.

It's over the top. We've got much more important issues in Congress we must focus on Senator Claudia Blum

"The Interior Minister mocks the Constitutional Court, the Congress and the judges, and the president must come out every so often to apologise for the barbarities of his minister," Representative German Navas, one of the congress members supporting the impeachment said.

In Colombia, one of the world's major cocaine producers, any flippant remark about drugs is likely to displease.

Misplaced priorities

Members of the 84-seat House have started collecting signatures to allow an impeachment motion to proceed.

Colombia is one of the world's largest producers of cocaine

A simple majority is required, but despite the inappropriate nature of the remark many think that the congress' response has been overly stringent and that the motion will fail.

"It's over the top. We've got much more important issues in Congress we must focus on," Senator Claudia Blum said.

Mr Uribe has backed his minister saying that he will not be removing any members of his cabinet before their four-year terms came to an end.

"With a level head, a spirit of setting things straight and with everybody doing their part, we can overcome these difficulties," Mr Uribe said.

Fraud allegations

But even if he rides out this storm Mr Londono still might not be off the hook entirely.

A member of Colombia's upper house, Senator Piedad Cordoba, wants to impeach the interior minister for alleged share fraud.

Ms Cordoba says the minister purchased a large share of stocks in Colombia's natural gas company Invercolsa in 1997.

It is alleged that in a move akin to insider trading Mr Londono, who was president of Invercolsa, purchased the stocks at a preferential rate, unavailable to the public.

Mr Londono denies any wrongdoing.