Carnival is just around the corner and Panamanians are organizing themselves to travel to the interior of the country, either to attend the culecos or enjoy the rivers or beaches. However, others are planning to work.

For example, the capital’s mayor, Mayer Mizrachi, told La Estrella de Panamá that in his first year as mayor, he has preferred to stay in Panama City to tour eastern and northern Panama.

His goal, he said, is to bring water tankers to provide drinking water to these communities, which face supply problems of this vital liquid, which curiously is wasted during Carnival.

“We are going to be at the Carnival, but curiously and personally I feel a little bad because with so much need for water that we have, the Carnival stands out for the waste of water,” Mizrachi said.

“For every water tanker truck we have at the Carnival, I will be delivering water in northern and eastern Panama to communities where there is no water, precisely to demonstrate that there is something good coming out of the Carnival. In this way, we address the fundamental problems of our society, something that has never happened in Panama,” he added.

Mizrachi hopes that others will see the example and imitate it because more empathy is needed with the basic problems that exist in the country.

“So I’m going to be working there, not celebrating,” the mayor said, acknowledging that for many, Carnival is a respite and a break from the daily grind. For them, he said, the mayor’s office has built an experience that is for the whole family, as well as an opportunity for micro-entrepreneurs to generate income.

He estimated that so far around $600,000 has been invested in the realization of the carnivals in the capital city, when previously around $1.2 million was spent.

This Wednesday, the Mayor’s Office of the District of Panama issued Mayoral Decree No. 003 of 2025, which establishes rules and regulations for the celebration of Carnival 2025 in the city, with the aim of preserving order, security and healthy coexistence during these festivities.

According to the decree, the activities of the “Carnival Festival” will take place on Cinta Costera 1 and Avenida Balboa, from the 3 de noviembre viaduct to Avenida Ecuador, in Bella Vista.

Activities will begin on Friday, February 28 at 9:00 a.m. and end on Wednesday, March 5 at 12:00 noon.

In addition, the sale of alcoholic beverages will be permitted in the festival area from February 28 to March 4, until one hour before the main stage closes at night.

Violations of the provisions of the decree will be punished with fines ranging from $50.00 to $1,500.00, in addition to possible community service sanctions.

The authorities responsible for enforcing the decree include the National Police, the Institutional Protection Service, the Municipal Police, the Panamanian Red Cross, the National Civil Protection System, among others.