Ipiales mayor Amílcar Pantoja warned of governance crisis by former mayor Gustavo Estupiñán

In an interview with NSI Ipiales, former mayor and opposition councilor Gustavo Estupiñán Calvache sharply criticised the administration of mayor Amílcar Pantoja. Estupiñán said the city faces a growing crisis of governance, a lack of institutional leadership and slow progress on key municipal priorities. He highlighted problems such as the finances of decentralized entities, public security, water supply and the need for stronger public management. The councilor accused the mayor of favouring political confrontation over consensus and noted the mayor’s absence from several council oversight debates. Estupiñán called for renewed dialogue with city sectors, accelerated execution of strategic projects and urgent attention to residents’ needs. He said, “El alcalde fue elegido para gobernar y resolver los problemas de la ciudad. Hoy vemos una administración que, en lugar de generar unidad, continúa profundizando divisiones mientras Ipiales enfrenta desafíos que requieren atención inmediata.”