San José approves festival balloon funding as Chilean survey controversy arises

The San José Municipal Council has approved 31 million colones for the purchase of zeppelin-style balloons for the 2026 Festival de la Luz. This decision follows the withdrawal of support from five state institutions, which means the municipality will no longer feature traditional floats in the parade. The large helium-filled inflatables are intended to serve as major visual attractions, similar to those used in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Authorities are currently evaluating the most suitable route for the parade, considering options such as La Sabana or returning to the original path between Paseo Colón and Avenida Segunda. The final decision depends on the selected location and its specific logistical conditions.

In Chile, controversy has emerged regarding the FIBE (Post-Disaster Survey) assessment in La Serena. Following a request from the office of Presidential Delegate Víctor Pino, a municipal social team surveyed a residence in the El Milagro sector. The survey, which was completed by the delegate's spouse, classified the home and its contents as “very affected” by recent weather events. This classification is significant because the government's Recovery Bonus amounts are determined by the level of damage recorded in these official files.