Mayor defends $250,000 payment to carnival performer

Panama’s mayor has downplayed criticisms from across the country over the $250,000 payment for the appearance of Puerto Rican singer Don Omar at the upcoming Carnival.

The contract was signed by the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP).

Roxana Mendez, who is part of the city’s carnival organizing committee, justified the payment to the singer saying that the Panamanian people have the right to enjoy international artists.
"There's always something to criticize, I believe that today famous international artists are costly. The population is also entitled to enjoy free international artists and I know that the Panamanian people are happy," she said.
Fernando Diaz, of the Citizen’s Alliance said the payment shows that President Ricardo Martinelli broke his word.
"The President promised during his election campaign that would bring international performers would not be used , and that the Government would not donate a cent for for the carnival”.
In his view, there are many priorities in the country that can be resolved with the quarter million dollars that will be given to the singer. “That much money is not justified for an hour on stage," he said
The government allocated $2 million for this year’s event in Panama but in the rest of the country carnivals are organized by the community and local authorities with Las Tablas being the most recognized
Mendez said that there will be many offers of fun for Panamanians in the capital city for Panamanians, for example, some 150 national artists on stage, and on floats.
Don Omar will sing on on the main stage. There have been criticisms in previous years of contracts with international artists. One case was in 2009 over Olga Tanon, alsoPuerto Rican. 

The Carnival Board will pay $610,000 to 143 Panamanian artists who will perform on several stages on the Cinta Costera February 8-12