Panama’s National Police will implement a large-scale traffic and security operation for the upcoming Carnival holiday. General Director Jaime Fernandez detailed the plan on Monday, which includes contraflow lane reversals on major highways, an expanded drone fleet, and a new digital reporting tool for citizens. The measures aim to manage the mass exodus from Panama City to interior provinces expected this weekend.
Officials will activate the special traffic patterns starting at noon on Friday, February 13. The initial phase focuses on reversing lanes from Avenida de los Martires toward the Howard area, with operations continuing until 7:30 p.m. A similar, though less intensive, operation will run on Saturday. The specific highway segments designated for contraflow lane reversal are Burunga to Vista Alegre, El Nazareno to Capira, and Sajalices to San Carlos.
“We are deploying more than 18,700 personnel on the roads, but we will maintain our regular operability across the entire country to safeguard homes and businesses left empty by the travel,” General Director Jaime Fernandez said. [Translated from Spanish]
The return trip to Panama City will see its own special operation from Tuesday, February 17, through Wednesday the 18th. Authorities anticipate significant traffic impacts during this period, particularly in the western areas of San Carlos, Capira, and La Chorrera as revelers conclude their Carnival celebrations.
Technology Enhances Monitoring and Citizen Reporting
Beyond the physical deployment of officers, the National Police of Panama is leveraging technology. The agency has increased its number of operational drones for the holiday period. These aerial units will provide real-time monitoring of travel times and vehicle flow, allowing command centers to apply immediate corrective measures to bottlenecks.
Fernandez emphasized that this technology is crucial for dynamic response. It gives commanders a live overview of the entire road network.
“These tools allow us to monitor travel times in real time, improve vehicular flow, and apply immediate corrections when necessary,” Fernandez explained. [Translated from Spanish]
A new digital initiative will also debut for the 2026 festivities. The police will launch a national QR code campaign to facilitate crime reporting. Citizens can scan the code, which will be promoted on the institution’s social media channels, to connect directly with authorities via WhatsApp.
This channel is designed for reporting suspicious activity in communities and documenting risky behavior on the roads. Officials hope the easily accessible tool will encourage public cooperation and lead to faster police responses during the busy holiday. The comprehensive plan underscores the logistical challenge of managing one of Panama’s most significant annual migrations safely and efficiently.