Ombudsman assures that PGN 2026 presentation takes away resources from the entity

The Ombudsman, Iris Marínhas launched an alert regarding the presentation of the General Budget of the Nation for 2026which proposes significant cuts to your institution.

According to Marín, these adjustments would make the budget for the entity “of 59,530 million pesos less than that of 2025”, and that the decrease “It is equivalent to 5% of the total, while in investment the reduction will be 30% compared to the 2025 budget”.

(Read also: Petro rejected the CRC’s decision to deny a request for a presidential address).

The official warns that It would be the second consecutive year in which the entity receives fewer resources than requested (in 2025 a decrease of 6.9% has already been approved)..

What is worrying, according to Marín, is the moment in which these cuts are proposed: In a context where national and international organizations reduce their territorial presence and cooperation, the risk of vulnerable populations being left without support increases, especially in areas affected by conflict or violence..

He added that “With the reduction of the missionary capacity of the Ombudsman, the presence and humanitarian support will continue to decrease throughout the country, including the areas most affected by violence, in an electoral year, with serious risks for the populations.”.

(You may be interested in: They announce forgiveness and subsidies to alleviate the debts of the rice sector).

Furthermore, the Ombudsman emphasizes that the presentation would have been presented without prior dialogue with the institution, which raises questions about respect for constitutionally recognized budgetary autonomy and the Paris Principleswhich govern human rights organizations.

Possible consequences

Among the consequences of the cut for the entity, the Ombudsman listed the following:

– It would affect the monitoring capacity of the Early Warning System.

– It would imply the closure of rights houses in areas where the population requires support, the reduction of care hours in the territory and a lower capacity to take statements and care for victims of the armed conflict.

– It would limit the capacity for psycholegal accompaniment to victims of gender violence.

– It would mean reducing our monitoring strategy for the right to health crisis.

– It would limit strategies to prevent the recruitment and use of children and adolescents in armed conflict and organized violence, as well as accompaniment to youth.

– It would reduce the implementation of the Escazú Agreement.

– It would weaken the support for the migrant and refugee population with international protection needs.

– Support for overcoming the crisis in the penitentiary system would decrease.

– It would reduce support for communities affected by disasters and environmental crises.

– It would affect the coverage of the national Public Defense service.

– It would prevent the development of necessary infrastructure works, related to headquarters in overcrowded conditions and located in risk areas.

(More information: National Budget 2026: 547 billion pesos will be voted on).

PORTFOLIO