The election of Neiva's municipal comptroller for the 2026-2029 period has faced multiple setbacks, including a candidate's resignation and a review of another's potential ineligibility. The process, involving interviews and voting, lacks a set date but could occur between December 16 and 17 if no further issues arise.
The process to elect Neiva's comptroller, responsible for overseeing public resources for the next four years, remains stalled due to recent hurdles. Interviews with candidates were originally set for December 4, but on December 3, Iván Darío Delgado Triana, Manizales' current comptroller and top scorer in the Universidad del Tolima merit contest, withdrew for personal reasons via email.
Nicolás Gutiérrez, the Council's legal advisor, stated: “Through an email communication, one of the nominated candidates expressed his desire to withdraw from the process, requesting exclusion for personal reasons.” The board accepted the resignation and reformed the shortlist by including Jairo Humberto Muñoz Cabrera, who ranked fourth in merits.
The updated shortlist consists of Leidy Yulieth Perea Ramírez, Cristian Renato González Pérez, and Jairo Humberto Muñoz Cabrera. Under Law 1904 of 2018, the list must be published for at least five days to allow citizen objections, a period ending December 12. Gutiérrez noted: “That period ends on Friday the 12th of this month. Until then, any citizen with a claim can submit it.”
An additional issue arose: a letter from lawyer Alejandro Ortiz raises concerns about potential ineligibility for Cristian Renato González, head of the Advisory Office for Internal Disciplinary Control at Neiva's University Hospital. The Council has requested documents from the hospital to verify details. Gutiérrez clarified: “A citizen highlights a situation that, in his view, could cause some type of ineligibility for one of the nominees; however, this is under legal review.”
The candidates bring strong backgrounds. González is a lawyer specialized in Mining and Oil Law and Administrative Law, and ran for Neiva's Council in 2019 with the U Party. Perea Ramírez has experience as a fiscal researcher and auditor in public and private sectors, narrowly missing a spot on Huila's Comptroller shortlist. Muñoz Cabrera, also a lawyer, served as head of the Legal Office at Universidad Surcolombiana.
The election will occur in extraordinary sessions, alongside selecting the new secretary, coordinated with the mayor, as unforeseen events prevented ordinary sessions. If the shortlist is finalized and the Public Function office clears the integrity check, proceedings could move forward soon.
