Universidad del Atlántico Rector Election Challenged Amidst ministry investigation
A dispute over the validity of a recent election has plunged the Universidad del Atlántico into further turmoil, as the institution faces ongoing scrutiny from the Ministry of Education.
A new controversy erupted at the Universidad del Atlántico following a resolution from the institution’s Electoral committee attempting to annul the election of Leyton Barrios as rector for the 2025-2029 period. However,legal experts suggest the committee’s decision may be without merit,citing its temporary and limited function within the university’s electoral process.
according to sources consulted by El Heraldo, the Electoral Committee is specifically established to manage internal elections. Its responsibilities include setting the electoral calendar, verifying candidate documentation, overseeing the election of the rector, and ensuring a transparent process. Once the election concludes and a winner is declared,the committee’s authority ceases to exist.
“Any decision afterward adopted by those who made up the committee would lack legal validity, as it does not formally exist as a body within the institutional structure,” a senior official stated. This means any attempt to overturn the election results by the former committee members would be considered an act without legal standing. The election of the rector,a formal administrative act endorsed by the Higher University Council,can only be revoked through a judicial decision,not an internal ruling from a dissolved committee.
the situation unfolds against a backdrop of increased oversight from the Ministry of National Education, prompted by a series of complaints and concerns raised in recent months. Last Friday, during a visit to the universidad del Atlántico’s northern campus, Vice Minister of Education Ricardo Moreno affirmed that Leyton Barrios remains the legitimate rector while investigations are underway. These investigations aim to gather information and determine potential responsibilities related to the process.
Resolution 021457, issued by the Ministry of Education on November 7, 2025, details the evidence incorporated into the investigation. this includes an internal dialog from October 29, 2025, detailing a complaint filed by the union of Workers and Teachers of the universidad del Atlántico (Sintraudea). the complaint alleges irregularities in the accreditation of requirements for the rector position held by Leyton Daniel Barrios Torres. Additional evidence includes a request from the Ministry’s Subdirectorate of Inspection and Surveillance to the Higher University Council and Credentials Committee on October 23, 2025, and the Credentials Committee’s response on october 29, 2025.
The ongoing dispute has once again placed the Universidad del Atlántico under intense public and governmental scrutiny,as the institutional process continues to be debated and monitored by national authorities and the academic community.
Why,Who,what,and How did it end?
Why: the election of Leyton Barrios as rector of the Universidad del Atlántico is being challenged due to allegations of irregularities in the accreditation of requirements for the position. This challenge stems from a complaint filed by Sintraudea, the Union of Workers and Teachers of the Universidad del Atlántico.
who: The key players are Leyton Barrios (the elected rector), the Universidad del Atlántico’s Electoral Committee (attempting to annul the election), the Higher University Council (which endorsed the election), the Ministry of National Education (conducting an investigation), Vice Minister of Education Ricardo Moreno (affirming Barrios’ legitimacy during the investigation), and Sintraudea (filing the initial
