Anyone caught using a State vehicle without a valid reason during Carnival will face a $100 fine and, if it is a repeat offense, firing.

The warning came Friday morning, March 1, during an inspection operation throughout the country, by personnel of the Supervision Directorate of the Comptroller's Office.

Comptroller General Federico Humbert warned that managers "have the unavoidable responsibility of maintaining a strict validity" throughout the country on the use of the assets of the Panamanian State.

"We recommend refraining from authorizing official missions on the dates of the Carnival celebration and approving only those that respond to social, health or safety interests," Humbert said.