Russian citizen Mikhail Krasnov took office yesterday as the new mayor of Tunja , a small Colombian city located 140 kilometers from Bogota which, tired of the previous first citizens, opted for a foreigner.

The victory at the polls of Krasnov - an economics professor at the city's public university who decided to enter politics in protest against the apathy of local administrators - was the most unexpected and symbolic event of last October's regional elections .

The "professor", as Krasnov is called in Tunja, published a photo on his social networks with the certification of mayor of the city, a position he will begin to hold on January 1 for a period of four years.

"The pride of my life was given to me by the city that from day one I felt like my home, which nourished my soul and my character", wrote the new mayor.

Krasnov has pledged to improve the municipal economy through a more profitable relationship with the capital and with various countries, which he hopes to visit to offer investment opportunities in his agricultural city.

(Unioneonline/vl)