Governor of Córdoba (Colombian department)

Governor of
Córdoba
Flag of Córdoba
Incumbent
Erasmo Zuleta
since January 1, 2024
Córdoba
Style
ResidenceNone official
SeatNain Palace
NominatorPolitical Parties
AppointerPopular vote
Term lengthFour years, renewable non-consecutively[a]
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Colombia
FormationAugust 23, 1952
Salary20,196,617 Colombian Peso/US$ 1,169,896 annually

Governor of Córdoba is the highest authority in Córdoba. The governor is responsible for enforcing the constitution and the laws established by the regional legislature. The governor is elected for a four-year term by the people of Córdoba through popular vote.[1]

Unlike the president, the Governor is not judged by a legislature; instead, the Office of the Inspector General is responsible for judging and removing him, either on its own initiative or at the initiative of the people. The governor does not have an official residence; however, his office is located in Nain Palace of Montería.

Erasmo Zuleta is the 48th governor of Córdoba. He was elected during the 2023 regional and municipal elections.

History and constitutional convention

The position of governor in Córdoba appears for the first time in August 1952. Previously in June, the creation of Córdoba as a department had been made official, with Manuel Antonio Buelvas being appointed as the first governor of Córdoba. Although the governor was appointed directly by the president, the president had the power to appoint the mayors in the department at his discretion.

In 1991, the constitution gave the governor some powers, although it restricted the president's right to appoint governors and their right to appoint mayors, which was replaced by elections at the regional and municipal level.

Eligibility

The governor must be a citizen in good standing, at least 30 years old, and not have been suspended from holding public office. The governor may be re-elected, but not consecutively.[2]

Incumbency

The governor is elected for a four-year term and is eligible for reelection for a second or even a third term, but not consecutively. However, traditionally, to date, no governor has sought a second term after leaving office.[3]

Vacancies

Since the transition to a democratically elected position, the office has been permanently vacant on two occasions. When the governor is removed from office by the Office of the Inspector General, the constitution stipulates that the president will appoint an acting governor to complete the term.[4]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ A governor can be re-elected for a second term four years after his last term.

References

  1. ^ "¿Cómo funcionan los gobiernos departamentales en Colombia?". Politize. June 9, 2025. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  2. ^ "Concepto 056801 de 2023 Departamento Administrativo de la Función Pública". Función Pública. February 8, 2023. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  3. ^ "Sistema Político Electoral" (PDF). National Planning Department. May 2, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "Concepto 368031 de 2022 Departamento Administrativo de la Función Pública". Función Pública. October 4, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2025.