Pasto seeks funding for Onomástico and Carnaval celebrations

The city of Pasto is preparing for its Onomástico celebrations, tentatively scheduled for the second week of November. Acting Mayor Giovanni Guerrero announced that the municipal administration is managing funds, including approximately 2,000 million pesos requested from the National Government, to support both the Onomástico and the upcoming Carnaval de Negros y Blancos.

There are ongoing efforts to ensure funds reach artisans early in the creative process for floats and other works. While Guerrero noted some difficulties due to the national transition process, he plans to travel to Bogotá to secure timely disbursements.

However, local commentary highlights a significant funding gap, suggesting that nearly 4,000 million pesos are needed to guarantee the 2026 Onomástico and the 2027 Carnaval. Critics have raised questions regarding the effectiveness of Corpocarnaval in securing new sponsorships and managing resources, calling for greater transparency and a review of the current management model to address the historical lack of financing.