The History of Pasto

History

By Lorraine Caputo

Like other Spanish cities in Southern Colombia, San Juan de Pasto was founded under orders of Sebastián de Belalcázar and was part of the Audencia Real de Quito. First established in 1539 by Capitán Lorenzo de Aldana at Guacanquer, Pedro de Puelles moved it the following year to its present location.

During the Independence Wars, Pasto remained a staunch Royalist supporter. Local historians say the city suffered tremendously at the hands of Simón Bolívar's troops. In 1830, Gran Colombia prevented Pasto and Nariño Department from joining the nascient country Ecuador.

In recent years, this city was chosen by the national government as a resettlement center for demobilized paramilitary forces.