Governor declares Tuesday a day of mourning for Dorado mayor

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has declared Tuesday as a day of mourning in honor of Dorado Mayor Carlos López Rivera, who, Interim Mayor Aníbal José Torres noted, “dedicated more than four decades of his life to public service and the transformation of our municipality.”

By THE STAR STAFF

Gov. Jenniffer González Colón has declared this Tuesday as a day of mourning in honor of Dorado Mayor Carlos López Rivera, who died Friday.

“In light of the announcement regarding the funeral date for Mayor Carlos ‘Carlitos’ López Rivera, I have decreed this day as a Day of Mourning,” the governor stated in a written announcement. “All public facilities are required to fly their flags at half-staff.”

López Rivera’s wake will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday in Dorado’s Public Plaza, as announced by Interim Mayor Aníbal José Torres. López Rivera died of liver cancer after serving the northern coastal municipality for some 38 years.

“At the ceremony, several individuals chosen by the mayor will speak to the public, including church leaders, colleagues from the Autonomous Municipality of Dorado, and family members,” Torres noted during a press conference. “After the formal ceremony, we will embark on a walking tour as per the mayor’s wishes, starting from the public square in Dorado, with several designated stops.”

“The first stop will be at Jacinto López School, where the Municipal Band will perform a special song requested by the mayor while standing in front of the school. This school holds great significance, as it was acquired by the Dorado municipal government, and is where [López Rivera] attended and where his mother taught for many years,” the interim mayor said. “After this first stop, we will proceed to the Catholic Church located in the town area. The tour will conclude at the Dorado cemetery, where we will hold a Christian burial in accordance with the wishes expressed by Carlitos López.”

Torres noted further that due to traffic issues in the municipality, the Gran Parque Agroturístico on highway PR-165 will serve as a transfer point.