Legal Challenges to Older Adults' Rights in Mexico and Costa Rica

In Mexico, the Federal Institute of Public Defense (IFDP) filed an amparo lawsuit after an incarcerated senior was denied enrollment in the national pension program for older adults. A federal judge ruled in the inmate’s favor, ordering the authorities to remove administrative obstacles and ensure the pension is accessible despite the person’s confinement.

In Costa Rica, the national ombudsman released a report identifying shortcomings in the National Council for the Elderly (Conapam) and the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) in detecting and addressing patrimonial violence against seniors. The report urged Conapam to formalize comprehensive protocols and called on the CCSS to incorporate patrimonial‑violence guidelines and improve staff training.