Juan Carlos Pereira Jiménez Appointed as Deputy Ombudsman with 34 Votes
The Legislative Assembly elects Pereira as Deputy Ombudsman nearly a year after Tatiana Mora's term ended.
The Legislative Assembly elected Juan Carlos Pereira Jiménez as the new Deputy Ombudsman on Tuesday, marking almost a year since the end of Tatiana Mora’s tenure in that role.
Pereira, a holder of a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a master's candidate in Public Administration, has been working as an advisor at the Ombudsman’s Office since 2001. His experience spans various sectors, including childhood, adolescence, and public policies.
From 2014 to 2024, Pereira served as an advisor in the Ombudsman’s Office and liaison to the Legislative Assembly.
Between 2010 and 2014, he held the position of Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Public Education.
Pereira secured his appointment with 34 votes, surpassing the required number by nine.
His competitors, Cristina Araya and Cristhian Olivier González, received only two and twelve votes, respectively.
The Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) provided Pereira with 13 votes, Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) with seven, Nueva República (PNR) with four, and the Frente Amplio with six.
Independent legislators Gloria Navas and Kattia Cambronero also supported him, alongside a blank vote from David Segura.
In contrast, González received support from a PLN member, eight votes from the ruling party, and three from the Partido Liberal Progresista (PLP).
Araya received votes from Legislative President Rodrigo Arias and Luz Mary Alpízar from the People's Democratic Party (PPSD).
Angie Cruickshank expressed satisfaction with the decision, highlighting Pereira’s extensive knowledge of the Ombudsman’s Office and public institutions.
"I have no doubt that Juan Carlos will do an excellent job, particularly due to his vast knowledge of the Ombudsman’s Office and public institutions," she stated, acknowledging his involvement in efforts related to education, security, and public investment.
The Deputy Ombudsman role, with a four-year term, entails acting in the absence of the primary Ombudsman or until the Assembly appoints a new one.
The election followed a voting procedure using ballots, after a dispute involving the Frente Amplio (FA) and Independent Kattia Cambronero against Legislative President Rodrigo Arias.
Arias maintained his position, citing the Department of Technical Services’ criteria, and opted to first address reports from the Legislative Assembly’s Appointments Committee.
The majority report recommended Pereira for the role, whereas a minority report favored rejecting the candidates list and seeking new nominations from Ombudsman Angie Cruickshank.
FA members and Cambronero challenged Rodrigo Arias’ decision, but their appeal was overturned by 35 votes to 10. Ultimately, the Legislative Assembly opted to disregard the Committee’s reports and proceeded with the ballot voting.
In April 2024, a previous nomination list proposed by Cruickshank had been rejected by the Assembly.
The swearing-in ceremony for Juan Carlos Pereira as the new Deputy Ombudsman is scheduled for Monday, January 27, at 3:30 p.m. in the Congressional chamber.
Pereira, a holder of a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a master's candidate in Public Administration, has been working as an advisor at the Ombudsman’s Office since 2001. His experience spans various sectors, including childhood, adolescence, and public policies.
From 2014 to 2024, Pereira served as an advisor in the Ombudsman’s Office and liaison to the Legislative Assembly.
Between 2010 and 2014, he held the position of Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Public Education.
Pereira secured his appointment with 34 votes, surpassing the required number by nine.
His competitors, Cristina Araya and Cristhian Olivier González, received only two and twelve votes, respectively.
The Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) provided Pereira with 13 votes, Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) with seven, Nueva República (PNR) with four, and the Frente Amplio with six.
Independent legislators Gloria Navas and Kattia Cambronero also supported him, alongside a blank vote from David Segura.
In contrast, González received support from a PLN member, eight votes from the ruling party, and three from the Partido Liberal Progresista (PLP).
Araya received votes from Legislative President Rodrigo Arias and Luz Mary Alpízar from the People's Democratic Party (PPSD).
Angie Cruickshank expressed satisfaction with the decision, highlighting Pereira’s extensive knowledge of the Ombudsman’s Office and public institutions.
"I have no doubt that Juan Carlos will do an excellent job, particularly due to his vast knowledge of the Ombudsman’s Office and public institutions," she stated, acknowledging his involvement in efforts related to education, security, and public investment.
The Deputy Ombudsman role, with a four-year term, entails acting in the absence of the primary Ombudsman or until the Assembly appoints a new one.
The election followed a voting procedure using ballots, after a dispute involving the Frente Amplio (FA) and Independent Kattia Cambronero against Legislative President Rodrigo Arias.
Arias maintained his position, citing the Department of Technical Services’ criteria, and opted to first address reports from the Legislative Assembly’s Appointments Committee.
The majority report recommended Pereira for the role, whereas a minority report favored rejecting the candidates list and seeking new nominations from Ombudsman Angie Cruickshank.
FA members and Cambronero challenged Rodrigo Arias’ decision, but their appeal was overturned by 35 votes to 10. Ultimately, the Legislative Assembly opted to disregard the Committee’s reports and proceeded with the ballot voting.
In April 2024, a previous nomination list proposed by Cruickshank had been rejected by the Assembly.
The swearing-in ceremony for Juan Carlos Pereira as the new Deputy Ombudsman is scheduled for Monday, January 27, at 3:30 p.m. in the Congressional chamber.
