Tunja's new mayor launches term with audit of $15 billion contract

Tunja's newly inaugurated mayor, Rafael Acevedo, has launched his term by immediately scrutinizing the previous administration's financial dealings. He announced an audit into a 15 billion peso contract, signaling a commitment to transparency and accountability in the capital of Boyacá.

Acevedo, who secured victory in a special election with 10,758 votes (24.77% of the vote), also cast doubt on another contract linked to the former mayor, Mikhail Krasnov. The new mayor, an architect by profession, took office on July 28, 2026, vowing to uphold the laws governing his position until December 31, 2027. He acknowledged the short timeframe but expressed determination to achieve significant goals for the city.

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17 months seem like a very short time to do great things in a city like Tunja, but before, mayors governed for only two years, and ironically, many of them did much more than some who have had four years.

Taking over from Krasnov, whose election was annulled by the Council of State, Acevedo inherits a city grappling with potential ungovernability, corruption allegations, and a lack of major development projects. He specifically highlighted the deteriorating condition of the city's historic center, noting that its special management and protection plan has not been updated in 25 years, hindering investment and growth. Acevedo pledged to prioritize the reformulation of this plan as a key action during his tenure.

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We have nine churches from the 16th and 17th centuries, unique in Latin America, but sadly, for example, the San Francisco church has a zinc roof and is deteriorating.