Tolima gubernatorial candidates and legal status of Andrés Hurtado

A recent reader poll regarding the upcoming Tolima gubernatorial elections shows Fernando Borja leading with 37% of the votes, followed closely by Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo at 35%. Other candidates mentioned in the survey include Óscar Barreto with 13%, Carlos Edward Osorio with 7%, and Andrés Hurtado with 3%.

Simultaneously, Andrés Hurtado, a potential gubernatorial aspirant and former mayor of Ibagué, faces a critical legal deadline. On October 20, 2026, the statute of limitations may expire for his case involving the unauthorized use of the Manuel Murillo Toro Stadium for a private birthday party. Hurtado was previously sentenced to 30 months in prison and a disqualification from public office for embezzlement by use. The Superior Tribunal of Ibagué must resolve the appeal before the deadline to prevent the case from being archived due to procedural delays.