Panama Prepares for the Return of 160,000 Vehicles to the Capital Escaping Carnival

Santiago de Veraguas: Authorities are preparing for the return of thousands of people to the country’s capital.  Jaime Fernández, director of the National Police, referred to the operations that are being carried out.  The police chief was on tour in the interior of the country.  From Santiago to Veraguas, Fernandez said that they have the great challenge of returning more than 160,000 vehicles that traveled to different points in the interior and are expected to continue for a few days.  Fernández indicated that the return to the city will be reinforced, although there will be points of inconvenience along the Inter-American Highway, due to the large number of vehicles that have traveled to the provinces. “We will do everything possible to make this fast and comfortable for everyone. 

In Veraguas, the checkpoints towards Atalaya will also be reinforced, where this weekend thousands of pilgrims will come to this town for the pilgrimage to Jesus of Nazareth.  Deputy Minister of Security, Luis Felipe Icaza, stressed that there have been “minimal” incidents during these festivities at the national level.   The Ministry of Security called a press conference with the participation of all security forces to report on the progress of the road safety operation. The director of the National Police, Jaime Fernández, explained that to date, 210 people have been prosecuted and 821 individuals have been arrested in various operations carried out in the interior of the country and the capital. In addition, he indicated that key areas in the interior have been reinforced in order to guarantee the safety of citizens.