Arequipa officials begin transition and election campaign leaves

Rolando Bedregal is set to assume the mayoralty of the Provincial Municipality of Arequipa for a thirty-day period starting September 4, following the departure of Mayor Ruccy Oscco. The transition comes as various mayors, councilors, and regional counselors in Arequipa begin one-month unpaid leaves of absence to focus on upcoming regional and municipal election campaigns.

During his interim term, Bedregal intends to conduct a diagnostic review of the municipal administration by requesting detailed reports from all management departments. He has addressed the ongoing urban transport dispute, stating that any changes to passenger fares must be determined by a technical team comprising officials, citizens, and concessionaires rather than through arbitrary decisions. Currently, the official fare remains at one sol, despite demands from transport operators for an increase to one sol fifty due to rising fuel costs.

Regional Prefect César Rodríguez Rojas has urged candidates to respect electoral regulations and strictly avoid using public resources, municipal assets, or personnel to gain an advantage during their campaigns.