Political and administrative developments in Arequipa

In late August 2026, Peruvian legislator Amalia Palomino criticized Arequipa Regional Governor Rohel Sánchez for a delayed response to mudslides, or ‘huaicos’, which left citizens without essential services for six days. Palomino initiated oversight actions to investigate regional and local management and proposed emergency contingency plans and increased state support for local farmers to mitigate future El Niño effects.

By early September, the region entered a period of political transition as various mayors, councilors, and regional counselors began one-month unpaid leaves of absence to prepare for upcoming regional and municipal elections. 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.

On September 4, Rolando Bedregal Sanz officially assumed the role of interim mayor of the Provincial Municipality of Arequipa for a thirty-day period, following the departure of Mayor Ruccy Oscco Polar. Bedregal announced that he would not implement immediate changes to municipal staff, describing such modifications as “disastrous” for a temporary administration. Instead, he prioritized conducting an internal diagnostic review of all municipal departments to assess the institution’s current state.

Bedregal also addressed the ongoing dispute regarding urban transport fares within the Integrated Transport System (SIT). While transport operators have demanded an increase from one sol to one sol fifty due to rising fuel costs, Bedregal stated that any changes must be determined by a technical team of officials, citizens, and concessionaires. He noted that the matter will undergo legal advisory to determine the future of ongoing negotiations.