Tunja mayoral election 2026

In late July 2026, architect Rafael Guillermo Acevedo Pedroza won the mayoral race in Tunja, Colombia, securing 10,758 votes (24.77% of the valid ballots) and defeating his closest rivals. The election followed the removal of former mayor Mikhail Krasnov after a court nullified his 2023 victory. Voter turnout was low, with about 30 % of the 142,847 registered voters casting ballots, and the process was overseen by police, army personnel, and biometric verification at several polling stations.

After taking office for a shortened 17‑month term, Acevedo outlined his administration’s priorities: revising the city’s Territorial Order Plan, restoring protection for the historic centre, and promoting tourism and job creation. He also pledged to establish a permanent road‑maintenance unit and develop a long‑term strategic urban plan to attract investment and improve mobility, emphasizing preservation of Tunja’s 16th‑ and 17‑century churches and other heritage sites.