Gran Poder festival: President attends, $57M boost

In late July 2026 La Paz intensified preparations for the annual Gran Poder celebration. Municipal authorities carried out security inspections, removed unauthorized alcohol‑sale stalls, and installed portable toilets, medical posts and missing‑children tents. Five intervention points were set up, traffic closures were announced for early morning, and drivers were urged to avoid the closed streets. Mayor César Dockweiler said the measures aim to keep the upcoming procession safe and congestion‑free. The pre‑festival parade on 26 July is expected to involve up to 130 000 participants – more than 95 000 dancers and 35 000 musicians from 74 fraternities – marching along an eight‑kilometre route that crosses key avenues and plazas. Recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, the event is projected to generate about US$120 million in economic activity for costume makers, artisans, musicians, hospitality, transport and commerce. Municipal guards, police and fire services will continue to provide medical posts and enforce alcohol controls. On 31 July officials announced the main folkloric entry of Señor Jesús del Gran Poder for 1 August. About 1 300 police officers, including members of the Special Crime‑Fighting Unit, the Special Violence‑Fighting Unit, Interpol and the Tourist Police, will be deployed. Checkpoints will monitor alcohol consumption, under‑age attendance and crowd behaviour, while the city’s traffic authority will close several streets from early morning. The procession will start on Avenida Mariano Baptista, pass Plaza Garita de Lima, Avenida Buenos Aires, Avenida Vicente Ochoa, Calle Antonio Gallardo and end on Avenida Simón Bolívar, and will be broadcast live on Bolivia TV. President Rodrigo Paz attended the Entrada del Señor Jesús del Gran Poder on 1 August, joining the official stand and dancing to the caporales rhythm.