In New Granada, the overhaul of colonial government instigated by José de Gálvez began in January 1778, when Juan Francisco Gutiérrez de Piñeres arrived in Santa Fe de Bogotá to take up his post as regent and visitor general of the audiencia of New Granada. The visita general entrusted to Gutiérrez de Piñeres involved a major review of colonial government in all of the important areas of administration. In some respects, the visitor general's objectives were familiar ones. Like the viceroys, he was expected to make colonial government more receptive to central command, to increase revenues, and to harden military defenses. There were, however, important differences. As visitor general, Gutiérrez de Piñeres was enjoined and empowered to act quickly, he sought to bring about rapid change over a broad front, and he was ready to employ forceful methods. Nor was his mission limited to reform within the existing framework of government. As was common with the general inspectors sent to Peru and Chile, Gutiérrez de Piñeres was required to report on the most appropriate means of introducing the system of intendancies, which was the key to Gálvez's plans for the regeneration of royal government in the Americas.

The immediate task for the visitor general was laid out in the instructions he received before leaving Spain.