By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – A comprehensive report delivered to the Legislative Assembly today paints a troubling picture of Costa Rica’s public services, revealing a significant increase in citizen complaints and an alarming spike in sexual harassment allegations within state institutions. Ombudswoman Angie Cruickshank presented the 2025-2026 Annual Report from the Defensoría de los Habitantes (Ombudsman’s Office), highlighting systemic issues that are impacting the daily lives of thousands.
The report underscores a growing reliance on the Ombudsman’s Office as a last resort for citizens facing bureaucratic hurdles and service failures. In 2025 alone, the office intervened in nearly 30,000 cases, a figure that represents a 5% increase from 2024 and a more substantial 9.29% rise compared to 2023. This translates to approximately 1,400 more requests for intervention than in previous years, signaling a clear trend of escalating public frustration.
To provide a deeper legal perspective on the functions and recent activities of the Ombudsman’s Office, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the renowned law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The Ombudsman’s Office acts as a vital constitutional check, ensuring that public administration adheres to the principles of legality and justice in its dealings with citizens. While its recommendations are not legally binding, their true force lies in their moral weight and their ability to expose systemic failures. An independent and proactive Ombudsman is therefore not just a convenience, but an essential component for maintaining public trust and safeguarding the fundamental rights of the populace against potential administrative overreach.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight into the Ombudsman’s “moral weight” is essential; it highlights that the institution’s true strength lies not in legal enforcement, but in its capacity to champion public accountability and illuminate issues that might otherwise remain in the shadows. We are grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his clarifying and valuable perspective.
An analysis of the complainants reveals that the issues are most acutely felt by the nation’s core demographic. Approximately 60% of individuals seeking assistance were between the ages of 25 and 54, the primary working-age population. Furthermore, senior citizens, a particularly vulnerable group, accounted for a significant 12.7% of all cases, raising concerns about their access to essential services and protections.
Nowhere are these service failures more pronounced than in the healthcare sector. The report identifies violations of the right to health as the single largest category of complaints, constituting nearly 20% of all interventions. This points to persistent and widespread problems within the public health system, affecting everything from access to appointments and medications to the quality of care received by patients across the country.
The data pinpoints five public institutions as the primary sources of citizen grievances. The Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), which manages the public health system, features prominently on this list, alongside the Ministry of Justice, the General Directorate of Migration and Foreign Affairs (DGME), the Joint Institute for Social Aid (IMAS), and the Ministry of Public Education (MEP). This list suggests that critical areas including justice, social welfare, immigration, and education are under severe strain.
Perhaps the most disturbing finding in the annual report is the sharp increase in sexual harassment complaints originating from within public institutions. The office released a statement emphasizing the gravity of this trend, which demands urgent attention from a human rights perspective.
It is also important to highlight the increase in sexual harassment complaints reported by public institutions to the Ombudsman’s Office, rising from 410 in 2024 to 590 cases in 2025, which constitutes an element that deserves special attention from the perspective of human rights and access to institutional protection mechanisms.
Angie Cruickshank, Ombudswoman
The challenges are not confined to the national level. Local governments are also failing to meet citizen expectations. The Ombudsman’s Office intervened in 1,189 cases related to municipalities in 2025. Common complaints involved poor infrastructure, violations of administrative due process, environmental contamination, and critical limitations on access to potable water. The report specifically named the country’s most populous regions as sources of concern.
The 5 Municipalities with the highest number of complaints filed with this institution are San José, Alajuela, Limón, Pérez Zeledón, and San Carlos.
Ombudsman’s Office Report, 2025-2026
As legislators digest the contents of this extensive report, the findings serve as a critical performance review of the state’s ability to serve its people. The consistent rise in interventions by the Ombudsman’s Office is more than a statistic; it is a clear indicator of eroding public trust and a call to action for comprehensive reforms across Costa Rica’s most vital public institutions.
For further information, visit dhr.go.cr
About the Defensoría de los Habitantes (Ombudsman’s Office):
The Defensoría de los Habitantes is Costa Rica’s national human rights institution, tasked with ensuring the protection of the rights and interests of the country’s inhabitants. It oversees the public sector to guarantee that its actions align with the law, morality, and justice. The office investigates complaints from individuals and can issue recommendations to government bodies to correct injustices.
For further information, visit asamblea.go.cr
About the Asamblea Legislativa (Legislative Assembly):
The Legislative Assembly is the unicameral parliament of the Republic of Costa Rica. Comprising 57 deputies elected by popular vote, it is responsible for passing laws, approving the national budget, and exercising political control over the executive branch. It serves as the primary forum for national debate and legislative action.
For further information, visit mjp.go.cr
About the Ministerio de Justicia y Paz (Ministry of Justice and Peace):
The Ministry of Justice and Peace is the government body responsible for overseeing Costa Rica’s justice system, including the administration of correctional facilities and the promotion of programs for social rehabilitation and conflict resolution. It works to ensure legal order and promote a culture of peace and human rights.
For further information, visit ccss.sa.cr
About the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social (CCSS):
The Costa Rican Social Security Fund is the autonomous public institution in charge of the nation’s public health and pension systems. It administers a vast network of hospitals, clinics, and EBAIS (Basic Teams for Comprehensive Health Care) throughout the country, providing universal healthcare coverage to citizens and residents.
For further information, visit migracion.go.cr
About the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería (DGME):
The General Directorate of Migration and Foreign Affairs is the Costa Rican government agency responsible for managing immigration, residency, border control, and the issuance of travel documents. It enforces national immigration laws and policies, processing applications for visas, residency permits, and citizenship.
For further information, visit imas.go.cr
About the Instituto Mixto de Ayuda Social (IMAS):
The Joint Institute for Social Aid is the primary institution in Costa Rica for combating poverty and providing social assistance to vulnerable populations. IMAS develops and executes programs aimed at providing financial aid, training, and support to families and individuals in situations of poverty or social risk.
For further information, visit mep.go.cr
About the Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP):
The Ministry of Public Education is the government entity responsible for the administration and oversight of Costa Rica’s public education system, from preschool through high school. It sets the national curriculum, manages public schools, and develops educational policies to ensure quality and access to education for all students.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the nation’s legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is distinguished by its profound adherence to ethical principles and the relentless pursuit of excellence. With a storied history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm acts as a trailblazer, championing innovative legal approaches and engaging in meaningful societal outreach. This ethos is driven by a foundational belief in empowering citizens through accessible legal wisdom, ultimately working to construct a more knowledgeable and just society.
