QCOSTARICA — In 2024, Costa Rica’s municipalities faced a high number of complaints, reflecting critical problems in local management.
As of November 1, 961 complaints against local governments were recorded, evidencing challenges in issues such as road infrastructure, administrative procedures, the environment and drinking water supply, according to data from the Ombudsman’s Office.
Non-compliance with the right to mobility and road infrastructure was the main reason for complaints, totaling 120 complaints.
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Among these, citizens pointed out the lack of maintenance on streets, sidewalks in poor condition and the lack of accessibility in public spaces.
Of the total complaints, the Municipality of San José accumulated the largest number, followed by Pérez Zeledón, Alajuela, Puntarenas and Cartago.
These problems, according to the Ombudsman’s Office, directly impact the quality of life and limit the development of communities.
Read more: Poor management of municipalities causes 128 complaints per month
Another recurring reason for complaints was the delay in the resolution of administrative procedures. A total of 97 complaints were registered for failure to comply with legal deadlines, affecting everything from the approval of permits to the resolution of conflicts.
Regarding environmental issues, 71 complaints were reported related to noise pollution, inadequate management of solid waste and wastewater.
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Citizens also expressed their concern about access to drinking water, a problem reflected in 68 complaints.
The Ombudsman’s Office highlighted that these complaints respond to structural problems such as budgetary insufficiency, poor planning and a centralist culture in the country that has made it difficult to transfer powers and resources to local governments.
In addition, the importance of more effective communication between municipalities and citizens was stressed in order to address their demands promptly.
Read more: Municipalities warn of disorder due to mandatory use of Centralized Public Procurement System
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“The function of the Ombudsman is to protect the rights and interests of the inhabitants. To do this, we transfer the complaints received to the local governments, giving them the opportunity to present their evidence and explain the actions they are taking. This allows us to assess whether the reasons of the inhabitant are valid or not and evaluate the real possibilities to solve the problems. In addition, we determine whether it is necessary to issue a report with recommendations by the Ombudsman, addressed to local governments, to correct actions that are affecting the exercise of citizens’ rights,” said Hazel Díaz, Director of Public Governance of the Ombudsman’s Office.
Initiatives to improve local management
With the aim of strengthening the management of municipalities, this year, the Ombudsman organized the seminar “Local Governments and Human Rights: Good Practices and Challenges.”
At the event, strategies were shared to overcome current challenges and the need to guarantee quality services for communities was reaffirmed.
With more than 900 complaints in the year, municipalities have the opportunity to analyze their critical areas and work on sustainable solutions that respond to the needs of the population.
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