No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsletterBarely 2 weeks into her term, Costa Rica's new ombudswoman has resolved...

Barely 2 weeks into her term, Costa Rica’s new ombudswoman has resolved half of the office’s pending cases

You really can accomplish things if you set your mind to it.

At least that’s what Costa Rica’s new ombudswoman, Montserrat Solano Carboni, seems to be showing us. This week, the Ombusdman’s Office reported that 366 of 735 pending cases have been resolved in the span of two weeks.

The cases had been piling up following the forced resignation of former Ombudswoman Ofelia Taitelbaum in July. Solano took office on Sept. 23. Most of the 366 cases involve complaints against the Social Security System, the Education Ministry and several municipalities, and they detail problems with pensions, long delays for surgery appointments in public hospitals, and poor service from municipal agencies.

Other complainants include a large number of educators and Education Ministry officials describing anomalies in appointments and salaries and infrastructure problems in public schools.

“The demand by citizens for quality public services is growing,” Solano noted. “I’ve found that this situation is increasing in rural areas, where people face bigger problems with not being treated respectfully by government agencies.”

On her first day in office, Solano ordered the agency’s staff to outline a plan to prioritize complaints. She said she expects to resolve the remaining case backlog in coming weeks.

Solano has not yet sent lawmakers a recommendation for assistant ombudsman, a post that has been vacant since April 28.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Opens New Pedestrian Bridge at Guayabo National Monument

Costa Rica has added a new attraction to its archaeological sites with the opening of a pedestrian bridge at Guayabo National Monument. The structure...

Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano Park Reopening to Tourists With Safety Measures

The Poás Volcano National Park will reopen its doors to tourism starting July 30, after  scientific entities reported a decrease in volcanic activity. This was...

Venezuelan Migrants Describe Hellish Stay in El Salvador Jail

Mervin Yamarte left Venezuela with his younger brother, hoping for a better life. But after a perilous jungle march, US detention, and long months in...

Why Birders Are Flocking to Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado

Costa Rica is a bird-watching paradise, offering an incredible diversity with close to 900 recorded species, including resident and migratory species. One reason for...

Panama Farmer Receives Land Title After 60-Year Wait at Age 109

A 109-year-old Panamanian farmer has received the land title for the property where he lives and works—six decades after first requesting it from the...

Costa Rica Seeks New Air Routes Amid Decline in European Tourism

Costa Rica is working to increase the number of international flights entering the country, as it faces a concerning drop in tourist arrivals.  The...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica