diff --git a/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index ad4c0290f6a..76d9e378ab7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
         with:
-          version: v1.59
+          version: v1.61
 
   yamllint:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
diff --git a/.golangci.yml b/.golangci.yml
index 20a502ddcea..f768e89d686 100644
--- a/.golangci.yml
+++ b/.golangci.yml
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ linters:
   enable:
     - dupl
     - errcheck
-    - exportloopref
+    - copyloopvar
     - ginkgolinter
     - goconst
     - gocyclo
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 6d90ad0d036..ff51b14e5ba 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ GOLANGCI_LINT = $(shell pwd)/bin/golangci-lint
 golangci-lint:
 	@[ -f $(GOLANGCI_LINT) ] || { \
 	set -e ;\
-	curl -sSfL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/golangci/golangci-lint/master/install.sh | sh -s -- -b $(shell dirname $(GOLANGCI_LINT)) v1.59.1 ;\
+	curl -sSfL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/golangci/golangci-lint/master/install.sh | sh -s -- -b $(shell dirname $(GOLANGCI_LINT)) v1.61.0 ;\
 	}
 
 .PHONY: apidiff
diff --git a/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index b6967b35f4f..f40d36579ce 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -20,4 +20,4 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
         with:
-          version: v1.59
+          version: v1.61
diff --git a/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/Makefile b/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/Makefile
index 4d6c3ada718..ba36d148420 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/Makefile
+++ b/docs/book/src/cronjob-tutorial/testdata/project/Makefile
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ GOLANGCI_LINT = $(LOCALBIN)/golangci-lint
 KUSTOMIZE_VERSION ?= v5.5.0
 CONTROLLER_TOOLS_VERSION ?= v0.16.4
 ENVTEST_VERSION ?= release-0.19
-GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.59.1
+GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.61.0
 
 .PHONY: kustomize
 kustomize: $(KUSTOMIZE) ## Download kustomize locally if necessary.
diff --git a/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index b6967b35f4f..f40d36579ce 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -20,4 +20,4 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
         with:
-          version: v1.59
+          version: v1.61
diff --git a/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/Makefile b/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/Makefile
index 31451d80693..30cbd42173c 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/Makefile
+++ b/docs/book/src/getting-started/testdata/project/Makefile
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ GOLANGCI_LINT = $(LOCALBIN)/golangci-lint
 KUSTOMIZE_VERSION ?= v5.5.0
 CONTROLLER_TOOLS_VERSION ?= v0.16.4
 ENVTEST_VERSION ?= release-0.19
-GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.59.1
+GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.61.0
 
 .PHONY: kustomize
 kustomize: $(KUSTOMIZE) ## Download kustomize locally if necessary.
diff --git a/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index b6967b35f4f..f40d36579ce 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -20,4 +20,4 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
         with:
-          version: v1.59
+          version: v1.61
diff --git a/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/Makefile b/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/Makefile
index 4d6c3ada718..ba36d148420 100644
--- a/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/Makefile
+++ b/docs/book/src/multiversion-tutorial/testdata/project/Makefile
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ GOLANGCI_LINT = $(LOCALBIN)/golangci-lint
 KUSTOMIZE_VERSION ?= v5.5.0
 CONTROLLER_TOOLS_VERSION ?= v0.16.4
 ENVTEST_VERSION ?= release-0.19
-GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.59.1
+GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.61.0
 
 .PHONY: kustomize
 kustomize: $(KUSTOMIZE) ## Download kustomize locally if necessary.
diff --git a/pkg/cli/resource.go b/pkg/cli/resource.go
index 87973f2cbdb..e258dd1a850 100644
--- a/pkg/cli/resource.go
+++ b/pkg/cli/resource.go
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 package cli
 
 import (
-	"fmt"
+	"errors"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/pflag"
@@ -53,13 +53,13 @@ func (opts resourceOptions) validate() error {
 	// NOTE: We must do this for all the required flags first or we may output the wrong
 	// error as flags may seem to be missing because Cobra assigned them to another flag.
 	if strings.HasPrefix(opts.Group, "-") {
-		return fmt.Errorf(groupPresent)
+		return errors.New(groupPresent)
 	}
 	if strings.HasPrefix(opts.Version, "-") {
-		return fmt.Errorf(versionPresent)
+		return errors.New(versionPresent)
 	}
 	if strings.HasPrefix(opts.Kind, "-") {
-		return fmt.Errorf(kindPresent)
+		return errors.New(kindPresent)
 	}
 
 	// We do not check here if the GVK values are empty because that would
diff --git a/pkg/model/resource/gvk.go b/pkg/model/resource/gvk.go
index 266859be7a8..3b4253124e6 100644
--- a/pkg/model/resource/gvk.go
+++ b/pkg/model/resource/gvk.go
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ limitations under the License.
 package resource
 
 import (
+	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -44,7 +45,7 @@ type GVK struct {
 func (gvk GVK) Validate() error {
 	// Check if the qualified group has a valid DNS1123 subdomain value
 	if gvk.QualifiedGroup() == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf(groupRequired)
+		return errors.New(groupRequired)
 	}
 	if err := validation.IsDNS1123Subdomain(gvk.QualifiedGroup()); err != nil {
 		// NOTE: IsDNS1123Subdomain returns a slice of strings instead of an error, so no wrapping
@@ -53,7 +54,7 @@ func (gvk GVK) Validate() error {
 
 	// Check if the version follows the valid pattern
 	if gvk.Version == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf(versionRequired)
+		return errors.New(versionRequired)
 	}
 	errs := validation.IsDNS1123Subdomain(gvk.Version)
 	if len(errs) > 0 && gvk.Version != versionInternal {
@@ -62,7 +63,7 @@ func (gvk GVK) Validate() error {
 
 	// Check if kind has a valid DNS1035 label value
 	if gvk.Kind == "" {
-		return fmt.Errorf(kindRequired)
+		return errors.New(kindRequired)
 	}
 	if errors := validation.IsDNS1035Label(strings.ToLower(gvk.Kind)); len(errors) != 0 {
 		// NOTE: IsDNS1035Label returns a slice of strings instead of an error, so no wrapping
diff --git a/pkg/plugins/external/helpers.go b/pkg/plugins/external/helpers.go
index abf7489aa9d..dd06629f6f3 100644
--- a/pkg/plugins/external/helpers.go
+++ b/pkg/plugins/external/helpers.go
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ func makePluginRequest(req external.PluginRequest, path string) (*external.Plugi
 
 	// Error if the plugin failed.
 	if res.Error {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf(strings.Join(res.ErrorMsgs, "\n"))
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s", strings.Join(res.ErrorMsgs, "\n"))
 	}
 
 	return &res, nil
diff --git a/pkg/plugins/golang/deploy-image/v1alpha1/api.go b/pkg/plugins/golang/deploy-image/v1alpha1/api.go
index 14710d7b683..31ad409d69e 100644
--- a/pkg/plugins/golang/deploy-image/v1alpha1/api.go
+++ b/pkg/plugins/golang/deploy-image/v1alpha1/api.go
@@ -63,14 +63,14 @@ type createAPISubcommand struct {
 }
 
 func (p *createAPISubcommand) UpdateMetadata(cliMeta plugin.CLIMetadata, subcmdMeta *plugin.SubcommandMetadata) {
-	//nolint: lll
+	// nolint: lll
 	subcmdMeta.Description = `Scaffold the code implementation to deploy and manage your Operand which is represented by the API informed and will be reconciled by its controller. This plugin will generate the code implementation to help you out.
 	
 	Note: In general, it’s recommended to have one controller responsible for managing each API created for the project to properly follow the design goals set by Controller Runtime(https://github.com/kubernetes-sigs/controller-runtime).
 
 	This plugin will work as the common behaviour of the flag --force and will scaffold the API and controller always. Use core types or external APIs is not officially support by default with.
 `
-	//nolint: lll
+	// nolint: lll
 	subcmdMeta.Examples = fmt.Sprintf(`  # Create a frigates API with Group: ship, Version: v1beta1, Kind: Frigate to represent the 
 	Image: example.com/frigate:v0.0.1 and its controller with a code to deploy and manage this Operand.
 	
diff --git a/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/lint.go b/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/lint.go
index 3739a3fc4d0..941f7e00519 100644
--- a/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/lint.go
+++ b/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/github/lint.go
@@ -63,5 +63,5 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
         with:
-          version: v1.59
+          version: v1.61
 `
diff --git a/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/golangci.go b/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/golangci.go
index f4376036ae4..7a0dca2abe7 100644
--- a/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/golangci.go
+++ b/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/golangci.go
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ linters:
   enable:
     - dupl
     - errcheck
-    - exportloopref
+    - copyloopvar
     - ginkgolinter
     - goconst
     - gocyclo
diff --git a/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/makefile.go b/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/makefile.go
index 3e71e9341bf..29991ba49f5 100644
--- a/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/makefile.go
+++ b/pkg/plugins/golang/v4/scaffolds/internal/templates/makefile.go
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ GOLANGCI_LINT = $(LOCALBIN)/golangci-lint
 KUSTOMIZE_VERSION ?= {{ .KustomizeVersion }}
 CONTROLLER_TOOLS_VERSION ?= {{ .ControllerToolsVersion }}
 ENVTEST_VERSION ?= {{ .EnvtestVersion }}
-GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.59.1
+GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.61.0
 
 .PHONY: kustomize
 kustomize: $(KUSTOMIZE) ## Download kustomize locally if necessary.
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index b6967b35f4f..f40d36579ce 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -20,4 +20,4 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
         with:
-          version: v1.59
+          version: v1.61
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.golangci.yml b/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.golangci.yml
index aac8a13f928..6b297462382 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.golangci.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/.golangci.yml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ linters:
   enable:
     - dupl
     - errcheck
-    - exportloopref
+    - copyloopvar
     - ginkgolinter
     - goconst
     - gocyclo
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/Makefile b/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/Makefile
index b0152e5a812..d017fa8ec19 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/Makefile
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-multigroup/Makefile
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ GOLANGCI_LINT = $(LOCALBIN)/golangci-lint
 KUSTOMIZE_VERSION ?= v5.5.0
 CONTROLLER_TOOLS_VERSION ?= v0.16.4
 ENVTEST_VERSION ?= release-0.19
-GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.59.1
+GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.61.0
 
 .PHONY: kustomize
 kustomize: $(KUSTOMIZE) ## Download kustomize locally if necessary.
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index b6967b35f4f..f40d36579ce 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -20,4 +20,4 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
         with:
-          version: v1.59
+          version: v1.61
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.golangci.yml b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.golangci.yml
index aac8a13f928..6b297462382 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.golangci.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/.golangci.yml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ linters:
   enable:
     - dupl
     - errcheck
-    - exportloopref
+    - copyloopvar
     - ginkgolinter
     - goconst
     - gocyclo
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/Makefile b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/Makefile
index d8902e789f4..3867f3cf414 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/Makefile
+++ b/testdata/project-v4-with-plugins/Makefile
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ GOLANGCI_LINT = $(LOCALBIN)/golangci-lint
 KUSTOMIZE_VERSION ?= v5.5.0
 CONTROLLER_TOOLS_VERSION ?= v0.16.4
 ENVTEST_VERSION ?= release-0.19
-GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.59.1
+GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.61.0
 
 .PHONY: kustomize
 kustomize: $(KUSTOMIZE) ## Download kustomize locally if necessary.
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/lint.yml b/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/lint.yml
index b6967b35f4f..f40d36579ce 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@@ -20,4 +20,4 @@ jobs:
       - name: Run linter
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v6
         with:
-          version: v1.59
+          version: v1.61
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4/.golangci.yml b/testdata/project-v4/.golangci.yml
index aac8a13f928..6b297462382 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4/.golangci.yml
+++ b/testdata/project-v4/.golangci.yml
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ linters:
   enable:
     - dupl
     - errcheck
-    - exportloopref
+    - copyloopvar
     - ginkgolinter
     - goconst
     - gocyclo
diff --git a/testdata/project-v4/Makefile b/testdata/project-v4/Makefile
index 087497c57f5..f0fbf35e7d2 100644
--- a/testdata/project-v4/Makefile
+++ b/testdata/project-v4/Makefile
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ GOLANGCI_LINT = $(LOCALBIN)/golangci-lint
 KUSTOMIZE_VERSION ?= v5.5.0
 CONTROLLER_TOOLS_VERSION ?= v0.16.4
 ENVTEST_VERSION ?= release-0.19
-GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.59.1
+GOLANGCI_LINT_VERSION ?= v1.61.0
 
 .PHONY: kustomize
 kustomize: $(KUSTOMIZE) ## Download kustomize locally if necessary.