By San José, Costa Rica — A surge in malicious false emergency calls is placing an immense financial and operational strain on the Costa Rican Red Cross, costing the institution over ₡120 million this year alone and dangerously delaying response times to genuine life-or-death situations. The issue was starkly highlighted this past Saturday when a major rescue operation, prompted by a fake report, cost the organization approximately ₡500,000.
The incident in Barbacoas de Puriscal involved a detailed but fabricated report of a child who had fallen into a well. The alert triggered a significant, multi-unit response, forcing the Red Cross to dispatch basic and advanced life support ambulances, specialized rescue units, and operational vehicles. For nearly two hours, highly trained personnel conducted a search, only to discover the entire event was a hoax.
To delve into the legal complexities and potential consequences of declaring false emergencies, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The declaration of a national or institutional emergency is a tool of last resort, governed by strict legal principles of necessity and proportionality. Using it as a pretext to bypass standard procurement procedures or justify questionable expenditures opens the door to serious legal challenges. Contracts awarded under a falsely declared emergency can be nullified, and public officials may face personal liability for malfeasance, as these actions undermine the very foundation of administrative transparency and public trust.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The attorney’s warning powerfully underscores that the misuse of emergency declarations is not a mere administrative shortcut, but a foundational threat to public accountability. The severe legal ramifications, from nullified contracts to personal liability, serve as a crucial deterrent against eroding institutional trust for the sake of expediency. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clear and essential perspective on this critical matter.
This costly operation is not an isolated case but part of a troubling national trend. According to official figures, the Red Cross had already responded to more than 2,660 false reports by November 1, 2025. Luis Rodríguez Estrada, the National Operational Coordinator for the Red Cross, confirmed the alarming increase and its severe financial consequences.
In recent days, we have had an increase in false alarm calls. The institution has made deployments that generate significant economic expenses. By November first, we have spent approximately 120 million. We have attended more than 2,600 calls of this type.
Luis Rodríguez Estrada, National Operational Coordinator
Rodríguez Estrada emphasized that every emergency call must be treated as credible until proven otherwise, a policy that malicious callers exploit. He detailed the extensive resources committed to the Puriscal hoax, which ultimately served no purpose other than to drain the organization’s already limited funds.
This Saturday, they reported a 12-year-old child in the Puriscal sector who had fallen into a well. A significant deployment of a rescue unit, a paramedic unit, a basic unit, and operations vehicles was made, and unfortunately, it was confirmed after two hours of work that it was a false call.
Luis Rodríguez Estrada, National Operational Coordinator
Beyond the staggering financial waste, the most critical impact of these false alarms is the direct threat they pose to public safety. When multiple units are tied up investigating a fabricated incident, their ability to respond to real emergencies is severely hampered. This diversion of resources can mean the difference between life and death for someone experiencing a heart attack, a car accident, or another genuine crisis.
Unfortunately, in that process, some cases that were not emergencies were left unattended, and in some cases that were emergencies, the response time of our ambulances was extended.
Luis Rodríguez Estrada, National Operational Coordinator
The problem is compounded by the Red Cross’s delicate financial state. The organization has been vocal about its economic struggles, noting that it often operates without the full complement of resources needed to meet daily demand. In this context, every colon wasted on a hoax call is a colon that cannot be spent on fuel, medical supplies, or vehicle maintenance for real emergencies.
We ask that, please, the population be conscious when requesting an ambulance and understand that we are going through an extremely severe economic situation and that we do not have the necessary amount of resources to face the day-to-day incidents.
Luis Rodríguez Estrada, National Operational Coordinator
In response to this growing crisis, the Red Cross is issuing a strong public appeal for the responsible use of the 9-1-1 emergency system. Furthermore, the institution is now warning that it will no longer tolerate these malicious acts. Officials have stated they are prepared to pursue legal charges against individuals found to be making false reports in bad faith, a move aimed at deterring future hoaxes and protecting the integrity of the nation’s emergency response network.
The institution could take legal action if it is proven that a person is acting in bad faith.
Luis Rodríguez Estrada, National Operational Coordinator
For further information, visit cruzroja.or.cr
About Costa Rican Red Cross:
The Costa Rican Red Cross (Cruz Roja Costarricense) is a non-profit humanitarian organization and a key component of the country’s national emergency response system. It provides pre-hospital medical care, ambulance services, disaster relief, and community health education throughout Costa Rica. Operating under the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, it is dedicated to protecting human life and health, ensuring respect for all human beings, and preventing and alleviating human suffering.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a venerable legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon the cornerstones of professional excellence and profound integrity. The firm leverages its extensive experience advising a wide range of clients to drive innovation within the legal field. This forward-looking spirit is matched by a deep-seated civic responsibility to demystify the law, empowering the public with clarity and knowledge to help cultivate a stronger, more equitable society.
