{
  "id": "nexus-sen-1-0007-1383301",
  "citation": "Res. 13305-2026 Sala Constitucional",
  "section": "nexus_decisions",
  "doc_type": "constitutional_decision",
  "title_es": "Acometidas privadas irregulares excluyen responsabilidad del ICE",
  "title_en": "Irregular private service connections exclude ICE constitutional liability",
  "summary_es": "Vecinos de La Herediana, Siquirres (Limón) interpusieron recurso de amparo contra el ICE alegando deterioro grave del tendido eléctrico —con cables expuestos que representaban peligro para personas y fauna silvestre (perezosas, monos, zorrillos)— y ausencia total de alumbrado público en su camino de acceso. La Sala Constitucional declaró sin lugar el recurso, remitiéndose a la sentencia No. 2026004599 del 6 de febrero de 2026 que resolvió un amparo idéntico presentado por una vecina. El tribunal determinó que los cables deteriorados correspondían a acometidas eléctricas privadas instaladas irregularmente por los propios vecinos —quienes extendieron sus conexiones desde medidores en la vía principal hasta sus viviendas sin cumplir requisitos—, no a la red pública del ICE, cuyo cableado en la vía principal sí cumple la norma técnica AR-NT-SUCOM. Para la extensión de líneas solicitada desde 2021, el ICE requirió certificaciones literales de propiedad y constancia de calle pública emitida por la Municipalidad; documentación que los vecinos nunca aportaron. La Sala también constató que no se acreditó denuncia específica ante el ICE sobre la problemática exacta descrita en el amparo.",
  "summary_en": "Residents of La Herediana, Siquirres (Limón province) filed an amparo against ICE alleging severe deterioration of local power lines — with exposed cables endangering people and wildlife (sloths, monkeys, skunks) — and complete absence of public lighting on their only access road. The Constitutional Chamber dismissed the amparo, referring petitioners to its identical prior ruling (Sentencia 2026004599 of February 6, 2026). The court found the deteriorated cables were private service connections (acometidas) installed irregularly by the residents themselves — who ran connections from meters on the main road to their homes without complying with requirements — not part of ICE's public distribution network, which does comply with technical standard AR-NT-SUCOM. For the line extension requested since 2021, ICE required property title certificates and a municipal public-road certification that residents never submitted. The court also found unproven that any resident had formally complained to ICE about the specific problems described in the amparo petition.",
  "court_or_agency": "Sala Constitucional",
  "date": "21/04/2026",
  "year": "2026",
  "topic_ids": [],
  "primary_topic_id": null,
  "es_concept_hints": [
    "acometida eléctrica (private service connection from meter to home)",
    "tendido eléctrico (electrical distribution grid / power lines)",
    "extensión de líneas (ICE program to extend grid to unserved areas)",
    "norma AR-NT-SUCOM (ARESEP technical standard for commercial electricity supply)",
    "omisión administrativa (administrative omission / failure to act by public body)",
    "recurso de amparo (constitutional writ for protection of fundamental rights)",
    "planificación urbana (urban planning — regulated by Ley 4240)"
  ],
  "article_citations": [],
  "keywords_es": [
    "acometidas eléctricas privadas",
    "tendido eléctrico",
    "extensión de líneas ICE",
    "alumbrado público",
    "fauna silvestre",
    "electrocución animales",
    "recurso de amparo",
    "omisión administrativa",
    "servicio público electricidad",
    "planificación urbana",
    "Ley 4240",
    "AR-NT-SUCOM",
    "Siquirres Limón",
    "irregularidad eléctrica",
    "certificación literal propiedad"
  ],
  "keywords_en": [
    "private electrical service connections",
    "power line extension ICE",
    "public lighting",
    "wildlife electrocution",
    "sloth powerline Costa Rica",
    "amparo denied electricity",
    "administrative omission",
    "public electrical service",
    "urban planning law",
    "irregular service connections",
    "documentation requirements ICE",
    "rural electrification Costa Rica",
    "constitutional amparo ICE",
    "Siquirres Limón electricity"
  ],
  "excerpt_es": "Se estima como no demostrado el siguiente hecho, de relevancia para esta resolución: único.- que los recurrentes o algún vecino de la localidad, hayan planteado ante el ICE una denuncia por la problemática exacta que se describe en el escrito de interposición del recurso de amparo.\n\nVale la pena subrayar que los recurrentes en el escrito de interposición solamente hicieron referencia a gestiones que supuestamente se habrían presentado ante el ICE, denunciando la problemática descrita, pero no especificaron fechas, y mucho menos aportaron la prueba pertinente. En efecto, la documentación adjunta trata sobre solicitudes de extensión de línea eléctrica y reubicación de postes, sin reclamar lo que se detalla en el recurso de amparo.\n\nEn conclusión, no es cierto que las autoridades del Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad se nieguen a resolver las solicitudes de servicio eléctrico planteadas por la recurrente y los vecinos. [...] han sido los interesados los que no han cumplido con lo prevenido. En suma se demostró que los arreglos que alega la recurrente han tenido que asumir de forma privada, son arreglos asociados al cableado eléctrico que utilizaron para transportar la energía desde los medidores ubicados en la vía principal hasta sus viviendas, de forma irregular. Ante ese panorama y tomando en cuenta que la autoridad recurrida afirma que \"El caso se mantiene en trámite, a la espera de que la parte recurrente y los vecinos del sector cumplan con los requisitos indispensables para continuar con el procedimiento y garantizar que el servicio eléctrico se brinde conforme a la normativa técnica aplicable\" el recurso deviene improcedente.",
  "excerpt_en": "The following fact is found not proven, of relevance to this ruling: sole fact — that the petitioners or any neighbor of the locality filed a complaint with ICE specifically about the problem described in the amparo petition.\n\nIt is worth noting that the petitioners in their filing only referred to actions allegedly taken before ICE to report the described problem, but specified no dates, and much less provided the pertinent evidence. Indeed, the attached documentation concerns requests for electrical line extensions and pole relocation, without claiming what is detailed in the amparo petition.\n\nIn conclusion, it is not true that the authorities of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad refuse to resolve the electrical service requests filed by the petitioner and the neighbors. [...] it has been the interested parties who have not complied with what was required. In sum, it was proven that the repairs the petitioner claims to have had to assume privately are repairs associated with electrical cabling they used to transport energy from the meters on the main road to their homes, irregularly. Given this situation and bearing in mind that the respondent authority affirms that 'The case remains in process, awaiting the petitioner and neighborhood residents to fulfill the essential requirements to continue with the procedure and ensure electrical service is provided in accordance with applicable technical standards,' the amparo is inadmissible.",
  "outcome": {
    "label_en": "Denied",
    "label_es": "Sin lugar",
    "summary_en": "The Constitutional Chamber denied the amparo upon finding that the deteriorated cables were private connections installed irregularly by residents themselves and that residents had not provided documentation required by ICE to process the line extension, referring petitioners to prior Ruling No. 2026004599 of February 6, 2026.",
    "summary_es": "La Sala declaró sin lugar el amparo al verificar que los cables deteriorados eran acometidas privadas instaladas irregularmente por los propios vecinos y que estos no aportaron la documentación exigida por el ICE para tramitar la extensión de líneas, remitiéndose a la sentencia No. 2026004599 de 6 de febrero de 2026."
  },
  "pull_quotes": [
    {
      "context": "Hecho Probado 5",
      "quote_en": "the repairs requested by the petitioning party, as well as the risks associated with the deteriorated electrical cabling, correspond to private service connections used by the users themselves to transport energy from the meters on the main road to their homes, in an irregular manner. Therefore, the maintenance and repair of these connections are not ICE's responsibility, but rather the responsibility of the corresponding users.",
      "quote_es": "las reparaciones solicitadas por la parte recurrente, así como los riesgos asociados al cableado eléctrico en mal estado, corresponden a acometidas eléctricas privadas, utilizadas por los propios usuarios para transportar la energía desde los medidores ubicados en la vía principal hasta sus viviendas, de forma irregular. Por lo anterior, el mantenimiento y la reparación de dichas acometidas no son responsabilidad del ICE, sino de los usuarios correspondientes"
    },
    {
      "context": "Considerando VI (alegatos de la recurrente en sentencia No. 2026004599, incorporada por referencia)",
      "quote_en": "This problem not only puts at risk the people who live or pass through the area, but also the wildlife, which is gravely affected by electrocutions and burns, undermining basic principles of environmental protection.",
      "quote_es": "Esta problemática no solo pone en riesgo a las personas que viven o transitan por el lugar, sino también a la fauna silvestre, la cual se ve gravemente afectada por electrocuciones y quemaduras, atentando contra principios básicos de protección ambiental."
    },
    {
      "context": "Resultando 3 (informe del ICE)",
      "quote_en": "in those areas, the provisions of Law No. 4240 on organized urban planning are not being complied with, since prior to the construction of homes and prior to the granting of construction permits, the Municipality requires interested parties to demonstrate electrical and water availability at the intended construction site, to ensure that basic services — part of a dignified life — are in place.",
      "quote_es": "en dichas zonas no se está cumpliendo con lo indicado en la Ley Nº 4240 sobre la planificación urbana organizada, ya que previo a la construcción de las viviendas y previo al otorgamiento de los permisos de construcción, la Municipalidad solicita a los interesados la disponibilidad eléctrica y de agua en el lugar donde se pretende construir, para así garantizar que se cuenta con los servicios básicos que son parte de una vida digna."
    },
    {
      "context": "Considerando V",
      "quote_en": "the petitioners in the filing only referred to actions allegedly taken before ICE to report the described problem, but specified no dates, and much less provided the pertinent evidence. Indeed, the attached documentation concerns requests for electrical line extensions and pole relocation, without claiming what is detailed in the amparo petition.",
      "quote_es": "los recurrentes en el escrito de interposición solamente hicieron referencia a gestiones que supuestamente se habrían presentado ante el ICE, denunciando la problemática descrita, pero no especificaron fechas, y mucho menos aportaron la prueba pertinente. En efecto, la documentación adjunta trata sobre solicitudes de extensión de línea eléctrica y reubicación de postes, sin reclamar lo que se detalla en el recurso de amparo."
    }
  ],
  "cites": [
    {
      "id": "norm-35669",
      "citation": "Ley 4240",
      "title_en": "Urban Planning Law",
      "title_es": "Ley de Planificación Urbana",
      "doc_type": "law",
      "date": "15/11/1968",
      "year": "1968"
    },
    {
      "id": "norm-74427",
      "citation": "Ley 9097",
      "title_en": "Law Regulating the Right of Petition",
      "title_es": "Ley de Regulación del Derecho de Petición",
      "doc_type": "law",
      "date": "26/10/2012",
      "year": "2012"
    }
  ],
  "cited_by": [],
  "references": {
    "internal": [
      {
        "target_id": "norm-35669",
        "kind": "concept_anchor",
        "label": "Ley 4240"
      },
      {
        "target_id": "norm-74427",
        "kind": "concept_anchor",
        "label": "Ley 9097"
      }
    ],
    "external": []
  },
  "source_url": "https://nexuspj.poder-judicial.go.cr/document/sen-1-0007-1383301",
  "tier": 2,
  "is_environmental": true,
  "_editorial_citation_count": 0,
  "regulations_by_article": null,
  "amendments_by_article": null,
  "dictamen_by_article": null,
  "concordancias_by_article": null,
  "afectaciones_by_article": null,
  "resoluciones_by_article": null,
  "cited_by_votos": [],
  "cited_norms": [],
  "cited_norms_inverted": [],
  "sentencias_relacionadas": [],
  "temas_y_subtemas": [],
  "cascade_only": false,
  "amendment_count": 0,
  "body_es_text": "\n\nExp: 26-002003-0007-CO \n\nRes. Nº 2026013305\n\n \n\nSALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, a las nueve horas veinte minutos del veintiuno de abril de dos mil veintiseis .\n\n \n\n Recurso de amparo interpuesto por Nombre01, cédula de identidad CED04, Nombre02, cédula de identidad CED05, Nombre03, cédula de identidad CED06, Nombre04, cédula de identidad CED07, Nombre05, cédula de identidad CED08, Nombre06, cédula de identidad CED09, Nombre07, cédula de identidad CED10 Y Nombre08, cédula de identidad CED11, contra el INSTITUTO COSTARRICENSE DE ELECTRICIDAD (ICE). \n\nResultando:\n\n1.- Por medio del escrito agregado al expediente digital a las 11:48 horas de 20 de enero de 2026, Nombre01 y otros presentaron un recurso de amparo en contra del ICE. Los recurrentes, quienes viven en la comunidad conocida como La Herediana, Siquirres, Limón, reclamaron que el tendido eléctrico de la zona se ha deteriorado de forma grave y progresiva, lo que ocasiona repetidas interrupciones del servicio de electricidad. Subrayaron que, además, el camino de acceso carece totalmente de alumbrado público, permaneciendo en completa oscuridad durante la noche y la madrugada, lo que pone en riesgo a la comunidad, incluidos adultos mayores. Afirmaron que se han planteado gestiones ante el ICE para que solucione la problemática descrita, pero no ha intervenido. Solicitaron que se declare con lugar el recurso. \n\n2.- Mediante el auto de las 10:44 horas de 26 de enero de 2026, se admitió el recurso de amparo y se dio traslado al Coordinador de la Agencia Integrada en Siquirres del ICE.\n\n3.- Por medio del escrito agregado al expediente digital a las 16:23 horas de 2 de febrero de 2026, Carlos Augusto Arce Molina, Coordinador de la Agencia Integrada en Siquirres del ICE, informó: “(…) Previo a ello, hago la aclaración que aunque se interpone el recurso en mi contra el presente informe lo genero a partir del expediente administrativo y análisis técnicos que efectuó el Área de Desarrollo Guápiles-Región Huetar dentro del expediente administrativo #2021-02-041, pero aporto la certificación administrativa emitida por dicha dependencia para el recurso de amparo Nº 26- 002008-0007-CO, dado que se trata del mismo caso, y es dicha Área de Desarrollo quien se encargó de ver el caso de los recurrentes. Note la Sala que, inclusive el traslado del presente recurso menciona que varios vecinos del mismo sitio interpusieron otros recursos de amparo en el mismo sentido. Asimismo, solicito a la Sala declarar falta de legitimación ad casuam activa de parte de las siguientes personas, pues como consta en nuestro expediente administrativo -y en la misma prueba de la parte recurrente-, las siguientes personas no gestionaron ninguna solicitud ante el ICE: Nombre01, cédula de identidad CED01; y Nombre07, cédula de identidad CED02 (…) El 31 de mayo de 2021, varios de los recurrentes, en conjunto y como grupo de vecinos del sector -salvo las recurrentes Nombre01 y Nombre07-, solicitaron extensión de líneas ante la Agencia de Siquirres, la cual fue registrada bajo el número de expediente 2021-02-041 (folios 1 a 4 del expediente administrativo #2021- 02-041 del Área de Desarrollo Guápiles-Región Huetar). • El 1 de julio de 2021, el ICE realizó la inspección técnica, en la cual se determinó que el camino estaba con problemas de acceso por el ancho de la calle (folios 1 y 5 del expediente administrativo #2021-02-041). • El 14 de julio de 2021, el Área de Desarrollo Región Caribe emitió el oficio de respuesta a los recurrentes Nº CED03, mediante el cual se les solicitó aportar las certificaciones literales de las propiedades de los interesados, la constancia de calle pública emitida por la municipalidad correspondiente, así como la realización de mejoras en la vía pública, específicamente en cuanto a su ancho (folios 1 a 7 del expediente administrativo #2021-02-041). En dicho oficio se indicó expresamente que, una vez presentada la documentación requerida y cumplidas las condiciones señaladas, se procedería a incluir la solicitud dentro de obras a construir. No obstante, a la fecha, lo anterior no ha sido posible, en virtud de que los interesados no han aportado la documentación solicitada. • Durante el estudio de campo realizado en sitio, se constató que de la demanda a servir corresponde a nueve viviendas, tres de ellas no cuentan con servicio eléctrico, mientras que las seis restantes se encuentran en condición de clientes mal servidos, en virtud de que han instalado sus medidores en propiedades de terceros y extienden sus acometidas hasta sus viviendas. Asimismo, se verificó que en el sitio no existe red de distribución construida por el ICE frente a las propiedades. Note la Sala que, como consta a folio 6 del expediente administrativo, “este proyecto requiere la construcción de aproximadamente 350 metros de línea con su equipamiento, para brindare el servicio a 09 clientes”. En consecuencia, debemos aclarar que las reparaciones solicitadas por la parte recurrente, así como los riesgos asociados al cableado eléctrico en mal estado, corresponden a acometidas eléctricas privadas, utilizadas por los propios usuarios para transportar la energía desde los medidores ubicados en la vía principal hasta sus viviendas, de forma irregular. Por lo anterior, el mantenimiento y la reparación de dichas acometidas no son responsabilidad del ICE, sino de los usuarios correspondientes (…) Con vista en lo señalado previamente, es importante manifestar que en dichas zonas no se está cumpliendo con lo indicado en la Ley Nº 4240 sobre la planificación urbana organizada, ya que previo a la construcción de las viviendas y previo al otorgamiento de los permisos de construcción, la Municipalidad solicita a los interesados la disponibilidad eléctrica y de agua en el lugar donde se pretende construir, para así garantizar que se cuenta con los servicios básicos que son parte de una vida digna. A pesar de lo indicado, debemos evidenciar que cuando algunas personas hacen desarrollos o construcciones sin los respectivos permisos municipales y en violación de los procedimientos establecidos, se ha venido haciendo costumbre acudir a esta vía constitucional como una forma de acceder a tales servicios en contravención de los mecanismos y requisitos establecidos para toda la colectividad. En consecuencia, el ICE no ha vulnerado derecho constitucional alguno de la parte recurrente ni de terceros. La solicitud tramitada bajo el expediente N° 2021-02-041 ha sido atendida y gestionada conforme a la normativa vigente, dejando constancia de las características y antecedentes de la zona. Asimismo, cabe destacar que el ICE no ha emitido una negativa ni ha sido omiso. El caso se mantiene en trámite, a la espera de que la parte recurrente y los vecinos del sector cumplan con los requisitos indispensables para continuar con el procedimiento y garantizar que el servicio eléctrico se brinde conforme a la normativa técnica aplicable. Contrario al dicho de los recurrentes, la demora en la atención del caso no es atribuible a la institución, sino a la falta de gestión de la parte interesada, y no a una omisión de la Administración, como erróneamente lo sostiene la recurrente. Los recurrentes insisten en señalar la existencia de cables expuestos, enredados y en condiciones de peligrosidad para las personas y la fauna, así como el supuesto incumplimiento de normativa técnica. Sin embargo, omiten indicar que dichas situaciones se originan en el traslado y utilización irregular de acometidas eléctricas privadas, realizadas por los propios vecinos, quienes han generado el riesgo que ahora se denuncia, como consecuencia del incumplimiento de los requisitos solicitados por la Administración para la prestación adecuada y segura del servicio. Es importante resaltar que el cableado propiedad del ICE ubicado sobre la vía principal cumple con la normativa técnica vigente, y recibe el mantenimiento correspondiente, así como la atención de averías de forma oportuna y segura. Por tanto, no resulta correcto equiparar la red de distribución del ICE con las instalaciones irregulares de acometidas privadas ejecutadas por los vecinos del sector. Las averías en la red de distribución, tanto en media como en baja tensión, son atendidas por el ICE a nivel nacional. Para ello, se realiza el reporte correspondiente al 1194 y se coordina la atención de la avería. No obstante, lo que se menciona en el amparo respecto a la atención de averías, se refiere específicamente a las acometidas ubicadas después del punto de entrega que son acometidas privadas (…) hemos demostrado que en el sitio resulta necesario la construcción de una red de distribución para la extensión de líneas que permita brindar un servicio eléctrico adecuado y conforme a la normativa técnica en cumplimiento con los puntos de entrega para el correcto mantenimiento; sin embargo, a la fecha, la recurrente y los vecinos no han aportado a la Administración la documentación requerida para incluir la obra como pendiente de ejecución y proceder con la estimación presupuestaria correspondiente, las acometidas irregulares no son del ICE ni es responsabilidad su mantenimiento, hasta tanto no se regularice el servicio y se construya la red. El ICE, reiteramos, se ha ajustado a la normativa técnica dictada por la Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos, específicamente la norma “Supervisión de la Comercialización del Suministro Eléctrico en baja y media tensión” AR-NT-SUCOM” (…) Es importante destacar que el ICE no emitió una negativa infundada y, por ende, tampoco ha vulnerado ningún derecho fundamental como el derecho al servicio público de electricidad (…)” (sic) (el énfasis no pertenece al original). \n\n4.- En los procedimientos seguidos se ha observado las prescripciones legales.\n\n Redacta el Magistrado Araya García; y,\n\nConsiderando:\n\nI.- Objeto del recurso. Los recurrentes, quienes viven en la comunidad conocida como La Herediana, Siquirres, Limón, reclamaron que el tendido eléctrico de la zona se ha deteriorado de forma grave y progresiva, lo que ocasiona repetidas interrupciones del servicio de electricidad. Subrayaron que, además, el camino de acceso carece totalmente de alumbrado público, permaneciendo en completa oscuridad durante la noche y la madrugada, lo que pone en riesgo a la comunidad, incluidos adultos mayores. Afirmaron que se han planteado gestiones ante el ICE para que solucione la problemática descrita, pero no ha intervenido.\n\nII.- Cuestiones preliminares. Previo a analizar el fondo del asunto —por la presunta violación del derecho a un procedimiento pronto y cumplido— debe explicarse que a partir del voto No. 2008-02545 de las 8:55 horas de 22 de febrero de 2008, esta Sala ha estimado que deben remitirse a la jurisdicción contencioso administrativa —con algunas excepciones— aquellos asuntos en los que se discute si la administración pública ha cumplido o no los plazos pautados por la Ley General de la Administración Pública (artículos 261 y 325) o las leyes sectoriales para los procedimientos administrativos especiales, para resolver por acto final un procedimiento administrativo –incoado de oficio o a instancia de parte— o conocer de los recursos administrativos procedentes. En el sub lite se plantea un supuesto de excepción: la aparente demora de la Administración en atender una gestión de mantenimiento de tendido eléctrico y de instalación de alumbrado público, cuyo mal estado e inexistencia, respectivamente, afecta a la comunidad implicada, incluidos adultos mayores. \n\nIII.- Hechos probados. De importancia para la decisión de este asunto, se estiman como debidamente demostrados los siguientes hechos:\n\n1. El 31 de mayo de 2021, varios vecinos de la comunidad de La Herediana, Siquirres Limón, plantearon ante la Agencia del ICE en Siquirres, lo siguiente: “(…) Reciban un cordial saludo, a la vez les comunicamos que las personas abajo firmantes les solicitamos y necesitamos que nos amplíen la Instalación eléctrica pública hasta el puente que está aproximadamente a unos 200 metros de la calle principal lo antes posible, ya que hay muchos árboles y los cables se dañan debido a que suben muchos animales como: perezosas, zorrillos, ardillas y otros, desde hace muchos años estamos sufriendo por ésta situación. Además con la elaboración de una rotonda en la entrada a la propiedad deben correr los postes y deberían aprovechar la situación para llevarla hasta la finca donde hay 7 casas construidas. Está de más agregar que la calle a la que nos referimos es pública (…)” (sic) (el énfasis no pertenece al original) (ver la prueba aportada por los recurrentes, agregada al expediente digital). \n\n2. Mediante el oficio No. 1550-0650-2021 de 14 de julio de 2021, el Encargado del Área Desarrollo Región Huetar Caribe del ICE, contestó a los gestionantes: “(…) Me permito dar respuesta a su solicitud de extensión de líneas para la comunidad de Herediana. Le indicamos que el sitio de interés coincide con el número de caso 2017-02-034. Realizado el estudio técnico para brindar servicio eléctrico en esta calle, se concluye que este proyecto requiere la construcción de aproximadamente 350 metros de línea con su equipamiento, para brindar el servicio a 09 clientes. Para continuar con el trámite solicitado de construcción de líneas de distribución eléctrica es necesario nos presente títulos de su propiedad (certificación literal) y constancia de calle pública emitida por la Municipalidad indicando el número de plano del inmueble, longitud y ancho derecho de vía, esto a partir del puente existente debido a que hacia la calle principal es vía pública certificada por la municipalidad según constancia DIVC-SIQ-2017-030 con un ancho de 10 metros. Además se debe mejorar el ancho del puente existente para el acceso de maquinaria y corregir el ancho de calle pública. Por lo anteriormente indicado una vez que se cumpla con requisitos propios de la gestión y todo esté a derecho; procederemos a incluir el caso en el inventario de demanda pendiente para poder ejecutar este proyecto en futuros programas de electrificación siempre y cuando no se presenten problemas administrativos, financieros u otros que estén fuera de nuestro control. No omitimos recordarle que el ancho real de la calle en todo el trayecto sea el indicado en la constancia emitida por la Municipalidad, de existir incongruencias le solicitamos corregir (…)” (sic) (el énfasis no pertenece al original) (ver la prueba aportada por los recurrentes, agregada al expediente digital). \n\n3. Los interesados no han presentado la documentación solicitada (ver el informe rendido, agregado al expediente digital). \n\n4. El 2 de noviembre de 2023, la Agencia del ICE en Siquirres, indicó a Nombre07: “(…) En atención a su solicitud de Desarrollo (Extensión de Líneas), presentada el día de hoy, le estamos informando que su solicitud ha sido remitida a nuestra dependencia técnica para realizar el estudio correspondiente, cuyo resultado le estaremos informando oportunamente. En caso de necesitar información sobre su solicitud, favor comunicarse a nuestra Agencia ICE SIQUIRRES al teléfono Telf06 (Telf07), e indicar que su caso tiene asignado el número Telf01. Este número es indispensable para realizar cualquier consulta sobre su caso (…)” (sic) (ver la prueba aportada por los recurrentes, agregada al expediente digital). \n\n5. Según explicó el Coordinador de la Agencia en Siquirres del ICE: “(…) debemos aclarar que las reparaciones solicitadas por la parte recurrente, así como los riesgos asociados al cableado eléctrico en mal estado, corresponden a acometidas eléctricas privadas, utilizadas por los propios usuarios para transportar la energía desde los medidores ubicados en la vía principal hasta sus viviendas, de forma irregular. Por lo anterior, el mantenimiento y la reparación de dichas acometidas no son responsabilidad del ICE, sino de los usuarios correspondientes (…) Los recurrentes insisten en señalar la existencia de cables expuestos, enredados y en condiciones de peligrosidad para las personas y la fauna, así como el supuesto incumplimiento de normativa técnica. Sin embargo, omiten indicar que dichas situaciones se originan en el traslado y utilización irregular de acometidas eléctricas privadas, realizadas por los propios vecinos, quienes han generado el riesgo que ahora se denuncia, como consecuencia del incumplimiento de los requisitos solicitados por la Administración para la prestación adecuada y segura del servicio. Es importante resaltar que el cableado propiedad del ICE ubicado sobre la vía principal cumple con la normativa técnica vigente, y recibe el mantenimiento correspondiente, así como la atención de averías de forma oportuna y segura. Por tanto, no resulta correcto equiparar la red de distribución del ICE con las instalaciones irregulares de acometidas privadas ejecutadas por los vecinos del sector. Las averías en la red de distribución, tanto en media como en baja tensión, son atendidas por el ICE a nivel nacional. Para ello, se realiza el reporte correspondiente al 1194 y se coordina la atención de la avería. No obstante, lo que se menciona en el amparo respecto a la atención de averías, se refiere específicamente a las acometidas ubicadas después del punto de entrega que son acometidas privadas (…)” (sic) (el énfasis no pertenece al original) (ver el informe rendido bajo juramento, agregado al expediente digital). \n\n IV.- Hecho no probado. Se estima como no demostrado el siguiente hecho, de relevancia para esta resolución: único.- que los recurrentes o algún vecino de la localidad, hayan planteado ante el ICE una denuncia por la problemática exacta que se describe en el escrito de interposición del recurso de amparo. \n\n V.- Sobre el caso concreto. Vale la pena subrayar que los recurrentes en el escrito de interposición solamente hicieron referencia a gestiones que supuestamente se habrían presentado ante el ICE, denunciando la problemática descrita, pero no especificaron fechas, y mucho menos aportaron la prueba pertinente. En efecto, la documentación adjunta trata sobre solicitudes de extensión de línea eléctrica y reubicación de postes, sin reclamar lo que se detalla en el recurso de amparo.\n\n VI.- Paralelamente, esta Sala Constitucional mediante la sentencia No. 2026004599 de las 09:20 horas de 6 de febrero de 2026, resolvió el recurso de amparo No. 26-002008-0007-CO, planteado por Nombre02, en idénticos términos al sub examine:\n\n“(…) 1.- Por escrito presentado en la Secretaría de esta Sala a las 11:43 horas del 20 de enero de 2026 la recurrente presenta recurso de amparo contra el Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad. Manifiesta que “El tendido eléctrico de nuestra zona se encuentra en condiciones sumamente deterioradas, con cables expuestos, enredados entre sí, en varios tramos, tirados directamente sobre el suelo. Esta situación se ha producido principalmente porque animales silvestres, como monos y perezosos, se cuelgan del cableado, provocando que este se desprenda, se reviente o quede a baja altura. En múltiples ocasiones, dichos danos han sido \"resueltos\" de forma improvisada, pegando cables entre sí con cinta, sin cumplir ninguna norma de seguridad eléctrica, lo que agrava aún mas el peligro existente. Durante épocas de lluvias fuertes, la situación empeora considerablemente, ya que caen ramas o árboles sobre el tendido eléctrico, provocando interrupciones prolongadas del servicio. Ante la falta de atención oportuna por parte del ICE, somos las personas vecinas quienes debemos asumir la responsabilidad de buscar soluciones para restablecer la electricidad. Cuando se producen estos daños, debemos contratar personas particulares con conocimientos técnicos en electricidad, ya que se trata de trabajos complejos y peligrosos. En muchas ocasiones, nuestras viviendas permanecen sin servicio eléctrico por uno o dos días, aumentando la inseguridad y el riesgo para quienes habitamos la zona. Mi padre, don Nombre09, adulto mayor, fue durante años quien ayudaba a reparar el tendido eléctrico debido a su experiencia, sin que nadie lo obligara, sino por solidaridad. No obstante, esta situación representaba un riesgo grave para su vida, razón por la cual, debido a su edad, hoy debemos recurrir a terceros para realizar estas labores. Las condiciones descritas constituyen un peligro real, permanente e inminente, ya que el contacto con cables eléctricos expuestos, especialmente en época lluviosa, puede provocar electrocución, incendios o accidentes fatales. Vecinos de la comunidad han sido testigos de cables incendiándose cuando animales silvestres quedan atrapados en el tendido eléctrico, situación que evidencia el alto nivel de deterioro y abandono del sistema eléctrico actual. Esta problemática no solo pone en riesgo a las personas que viven o transitan por el lugar, sino también a la fauna silvestre, la cual se ve gravemente afectada por electrocuciones y quemaduras, atentando contra principios básicos de protección ambiental. Resulta urgente que se adopten medidas correctivas inmediatas, tales como la instalación adecuada de postes, elevación y protección del tendido eléctrico y mantenimiento conforme a las normas técnicas vigentes, a fin de resguardar la vida, la integridad física y la seguridad de las personas. Adicionalmente, el acceso a nuestras viviendas se realiza por un camino que carece totalmente de alumbrado público, permaneciendo en completa oscuridad durante la noche y la madrugada. Esta situación ha generado un ambiente de alta inseguridad. En una ocasión, mi padre fue víctima de un asalto en horas de la tarde-noche en dicho camino, resultando herido, hecho que se vio claramente favorecido por la ausencia total de iluminación. La falta de alumbrado público afecta especialmente a mujeres, adultos mayores y personas trabajadoras que transitan solas en horas nocturnas y de madrugada, siendo este camino el único acceso a nuestras viviendas. A pesar de haber acudido previamente al ICE de Siquirres, nuestras solicitudes han sido omitidas, sin que se nos brinde una solución efectiva, configurándose así una omisión institucional grave.” (sic). Con base en los alegatos expuestos, estima que, con las actuaciones acusadas, se están vulnerando derechos fundamentales. Solicita que se declare con lugar el recurso con las consecuencias de ley (…) \n\nIII.- SOBRE EL CASO CONCRETO: De los informes de las autoridades recurridas los cuales son dados bajo la solemnidad del juramento con las consecuencias legales que ello implica se desprende que en fecha 31 de mayo de 2021 la recurrente en conjunto con un grupo de vecinos del sector, solicitaron extensión de líneas ante la agencia de Siquirres, la cual fue registrada bajo el número de expediente 2021-02-041. Se acreditó que en fecha 01 de julio 2021 las autoridades del ICE realizaron la inspección técnica, en la cual se determinó que el camino estaba con problemas de acceso por el ancho de la calle. Se demostró que en fecha 14 de julio de 2021 se emitió el oficio de respuesta a los recurrentes bajo el N.° 1550- 0650-2021, mediante el cual se les solicitó aportar las certificaciones literales de las propiedades de los interesados, la constancia de calle pública emitida por la municipalidad correspondiente, así como la realización de mejoras en la vía pública, específicamente en cuanto a su ancho. Se verificó que en el oficio se indicó a los vecinos que, una vez presentada la documentación requerida y cumplidas las condiciones señaladas, se procedería a incluir la solicitud dentro de obras a construir. Se probó que los vecinos no han aportado la documentación solicitada y que durante el estudio de campo realizado en sitio, se constató que de la demanda a servir corresponde a nueve viviendas, tres de ellas no cuentan con servicio eléctrico, mientras que las seis restantes se encuentran en condición de clientes mal servidos, en virtud de que han instalado sus medidores en propiedades de terceros y extienden sus acometidas hasta sus viviendas. Se verificó que en el sitio no existe red de distribución construida por el ICE frente a las propiedades. Se tuvo por cierto que las reparaciones que han realizado los vecinos corresponden a acometidas eléctricas privadas, utilizadas por los propios usuarios para transportar la energía desde los medidores ubicados en la vía principal hasta sus viviendas, de forma irregular. Finalmente se acreditó que el caso se mantiene en trámite, a la espera de que la parte recurrente y los vecinos del sector cumplan con los requisitos indispensables para continuar con el procedimiento y garantizar que el servicio eléctrico se brinde conforme a la normativa técnica aplicable. En conclusión, no es cierto que las autoridades del Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad se nieguen a resolver las solicitudes de servicio eléctrico planteadas por la recurrente y los vecinos. Ta y como se logró demostrar la autoridad recurrida desde el 14 de julio de 2021 emitió el oficio de respuesta a los recurrentes bajo el N.° 1550-0650-2021, mediante el cual se les solicitó aportar las certificaciones literales de las propiedades de los interesados, la constancia de calle pública emitida por la municipalidad correspondiente, así como la realización de mejoras en la vía pública, específicamente en cuanto a su ancho y, han sido los interesados los que no han cumplido con lo prevenido. En suma se demostró que los arreglos que alega la recurrente han tenido que asumir de forma privada, son arreglos asociados al cableado eléctrico que utilizaron para transportar la energía desde los medidores ubicados en la vía principal hasta sus viviendas, de forma irregular. Ante ese panorama y tomando en cuenta que la autoridad recurrida afirma que “El caso se mantiene en trámite, a la espera de que la parte recurrente y los vecinos del sector cumplan con los requisitos indispensables para continuar con el procedimiento y garantizar que el servicio eléctrico se brinde conforme a la normativa técnica aplicable” el recurso deviene improcedente (…)” (sic) (el énfasis no pertenece al original). \n\nVII.- No existen razones particulares o de interés público que hagan a este Tribunal variar el criterio vertido. \n\nVIII.- Conclusión. Deberán los recurrentes estarse a lo resuelto en la sentencia No. 2026004599 de las 09:20 horas de 6 de febrero de 2026.\n\nIX.- Nota del magistrado Castillo Víquez, en cuanto a la justicia administrativa pronta y cumplida. He apoyado la tesis de este Tribunal, de que cuando el justiciable alega una vulneración al derecho a una justicia pronta y cumplida en sede administrativa, quienes deben conocer la controversia jurídica son los Tribunales de lo Contencioso-Administrativo y no esta Sala. Ahora bien, con la reciente promulgación de la Ley n.° 9097, Ley de Regulación del Derecho de Petición, se ha establecido que ese derecho es susceptible de tutela judicial por medio del recurso de amparo establecido por el artículo 32 de la Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, en relación con el artículo 27 de la Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica, en aquellos casos en que el peticionario considere que las actuaciones materiales de la Administración, sus actos administrativos o su respuesta le estén afectando sus derechos fundamentales. A mi modo de ver, la normativa recién promulgada no implica que este Tribunal deba modificar su línea jurisprudencial, quien, con base en el numeral 7 de su Ley, le corresponde definir exclusivamente su propia competencia. Por ende, salvo aquellas controversias jurídico-constitucionales que han sido reconocidas por esta misma Sala como supuestos de excepción, que sí proceden ser conocidas en esta jurisdicción a través del proceso constitucional de garantía del amparo, en los demás casos, y por las razones que ha dado este Tribunal (sentencia N° 2008-02545 de las 8:55 horas de 22 de febrero de 2008), los competentes son los Jueces de la jurisdicción de lo contencioso-administrativo, todo lo cual es conforme al numeral 25, de la Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos, el Derecho de la Constitución (valores, principios y normas) y las normas legales correspondientes con base en una interpretación lógica, sistémica y teleológica del ordenamiento jurídico.\n\nX.- Documentación aportada al expediente. Se previene a las partes que de haber aportado algún documento en papel, así como objetos o pruebas contenidas en algún dispositivo adicional de carácter electrónico, informático, magnético, óptico, telemático o producido por nuevas tecnologías, éstos deberán ser retirados del despacho en un plazo máximo de 30 días hábiles contados a partir de la notificación de esta sentencia. De lo contrario, será destruido todo aquel material que no sea retirado dentro de este plazo, según lo dispuesto en el “Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial”, aprobado por la Corte Plena en sesión No. 27-11 del 22 de agosto de 2011, artículo XXVI y publicado en el Boletín Judicial No. 19 del 26 de enero de 2012, así como en el acuerdo aprobado por el Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial, en la sesión No. 43-12 celebrada el 3 de mayo de 2012, artículo LXXXI.\n\nPor tanto:\n\n Estense a lo resuelto en la sentencia No. 2026004599 de las 09:20 horas de 6 de febrero de 2026 El magistrado Castillo Víquez pone nota. Notifíquese. \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nFernando Castillo V.\n\nPresidente\n\n \n\nFernando Cruz C.\n\n \n\nPaul Rueda L.\n\nLuis Fdo. Salazar A.\n\n \n\nJorge Araya G.\n\nAnamari Garro V.\n\n \n\nIngrid Hess H.\n\n \n\n \n\nDocumento Firmado Digitalmente\n\n-- Código verificador --\n\n\n\n DM1IPNAN5EG61 \n\nEXPEDIENTE N° 26-002003-0007-CO \n\n \n\nTeléfonos: Telf02/ ALA-4TA (Telf03). Fax: Telf04 / Telf05. Dirección electrónica: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Dirección: (Dirección01, Dirección02, 100 mts. Sur de la iglesia del Perpetuo Socorro).",
  "body_en_text": "Exp: 26-002003-0007-CO\n\nRes. Nº 2026013305\n\nSALA CONSTITUCIONAL DE LA CORTE SUPREMA DE JUSTICIA. San José, at nine hours and twenty minutes on the twenty-first of April, two thousand twenty-six.\n\nWrit of amparo (recurso de amparo) filed by Nombre01, national identification number CED04, Nombre02, national identification number CED05, Nombre03, national identification number CED06, Nombre04, national identification number CED07, Nombre05, national identification number CED08, Nombre06, national identification number CED09, Nombre07, national identification number CED10, and Nombre08, national identification number CED11, against the INSTITUTO COSTARRICENSE DE ELECTRICIDAD (ICE).\n\nFindings of fact:\n\n1.- By means of the filing added to the digital case file at 11:48 hours on January 20, 2026, Nombre01 and others filed a writ of amparo against ICE. The petitioners, who live in the community known as La Herediana, Siquirres, Limón, claimed that the electrical grid (tendido eléctrico) in the area has deteriorated seriously and progressively, causing repeated interruptions to electrical service. They further noted that the access road entirely lacks public street lighting (alumbrado público), remaining in complete darkness at night and in the early morning hours, which puts the community at risk, including elderly residents. They stated that steps had been taken before ICE to resolve the described problem, but that ICE had not intervened. They requested that the writ be granted.\n\n2.- By order issued at 10:44 hours on January 26, 2026, the writ of amparo was admitted and transferred to the Coordinator of the Integrated Agency in Siquirres of ICE.\n\n3.- By means of the filing added to the digital case file at 16:23 hours on February 2, 2026, Carlos Augusto Arce Molina, Coordinator of the Integrated Agency in Siquirres of ICE, reported: \"(…) Before doing so, I clarify that although the writ is filed against me, this report is generated from the administrative file (expediente administrativo) and technical analyses carried out by the Área de Desarrollo Guápiles-Región Huetar within administrative file #2021-02-041, and I am providing the administrative certification issued by that unit for writ of amparo No. 26-002008-0007-CO, since it concerns the same case, and it is that Área de Desarrollo that handled the petitioners' case. The Sala Constitucional should note that even the transfer notice for this writ states that several neighbors from the same location filed other writs of amparo in the same vein. I also request that the Sala Constitucional declare lack of active standing (falta de legitimación ad causam activa) on the part of the following individuals, since as shown in our administrative file — and in the petitioners' own evidence — the following individuals did not file any request with ICE: Nombre01, national identification number CED01; and Nombre07, national identification number CED02 (…) On May 31, 2021, several of the petitioners, jointly and as a group of residents of the area — except petitioners Nombre01 and Nombre07 — requested a line extension (extensión de líneas) from the Siquirres Agency, which was registered under case file number 2021-02-041 (folios 1 to 4 of administrative file #2021-02-041 of the Área de Desarrollo Guápiles-Región Huetar). • On July 1, 2021, ICE conducted a technical inspection, which determined that the road had access problems due to the width of the street (folios 1 and 5 of administrative file #2021-02-041). • On July 14, 2021, the Área de Desarrollo Región Caribe issued response letter No. CED03 to the petitioners, requesting that they provide title deed certifications (certificaciones literales) for the properties of those interested, a public road certification (constancia de calle pública) issued by the relevant municipality, and that improvements be made to the public roadway (vía pública), specifically with regard to its width (folios 1 to 7 of administrative file #2021-02-041). That letter expressly stated that once the required documentation was submitted and the specified conditions were met, the request would be included among works to be constructed. However, to date this has not been possible, since the interested parties have not submitted the requested documentation. • During the field study conducted on site, it was found that the demand to be served corresponds to nine dwellings, three of which have no electrical service, while the remaining six are in the condition of poorly served customers (clientes mal servidos), since they have installed their meters (medidores) on third-party properties and extend their private electrical service connections (acometidas eléctricas privadas) to their homes. It was also verified that on site there is no distribution network (red de distribución) built by ICE in front of the properties. The Sala Constitucional should note that, as shown on folio 6 of the administrative file, \"this project requires the construction of approximately 350 meters of line with its equipment, in order to provide service to 09 customers.\" Accordingly, we must clarify that the repairs requested by the petitioners, as well as the risks associated with the deteriorated electrical wiring, correspond to private electrical service connections used by the users themselves to transport energy from the meters located on the main road to their homes, in an irregular manner. For this reason, the maintenance and repair of those connections is not ICE's responsibility, but rather that of the respective users (…) In light of the foregoing, it is important to note that in those areas the organized urban planning requirements set forth in Ley Nº 4240 are not being met, since prior to the construction of homes and prior to the issuance of building permits, the Municipality requires interested parties to demonstrate the availability of electricity and water at the location where construction is intended, so as to guarantee that the basic services that are part of a dignified life are in place. Notwithstanding this, it must be noted that when some individuals carry out developments or constructions without the required municipal permits and in violation of established procedures, it has become customary to resort to this constitutional avenue as a means of accessing such services in contravention of the mechanisms and requirements established for the community as a whole. Accordingly, ICE has not violated any constitutional right of the petitioners or of third parties. The request processed under file No. 2021-02-041 has been attended to and managed in accordance with applicable regulations, placing on record the characteristics and background of the area. It should also be noted that ICE has not issued a denial nor has it been inactive. The case remains in process, pending the petitioners and neighborhood residents complying with the essential requirements needed to continue the procedure and ensure that electrical service is provided in accordance with applicable technical regulations. Contrary to the petitioners' claims, the delay in handling the case is not attributable to the institution but to the lack of action by the interested parties, and not to an omission by the Administration, as the petitioners erroneously contend. The petitioners persist in pointing to the existence of exposed, tangled wires in conditions of danger to people and wildlife, as well as an alleged failure to comply with technical standards. However, they omit to mention that these situations originate from the irregular transfer and use of private electrical service connections carried out by the residents themselves, who have created the very risk they now report, as a consequence of failing to meet the requirements imposed by the Administration for the proper and safe provision of service. It is important to emphasize that the wiring owned by ICE on the main road complies with current technical standards and receives proper maintenance, as well as timely and safe attention to outages (averías). Therefore, it is not correct to equate ICE's distribution network with the irregular private service connection installations carried out by residents of the area. Faults in the distribution network, both at medium voltage and low voltage (media y baja tensión), are handled by ICE nationwide. To do so, a report is made by calling 1194 and attention to the fault is coordinated. However, what the writ mentions regarding fault response refers specifically to the connections located after the delivery point (punto de entrega), which are private service connections (…) we have demonstrated that on site it is necessary to build a distribution network for the line extension that would allow adequate electrical service to be provided in compliance with technical standards, in accordance with delivery points for proper maintenance; however, to date, the petitioners and residents have not submitted the documentation required by the Administration to include the work as pending execution and to proceed with the corresponding budget estimate; the irregular connections are not ICE's property nor is their maintenance ICE's responsibility, until the service is regularized and the network is built. ICE, we reiterate, has complied with the technical regulations issued by the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos, specifically the standard \"Supervisión de la Comercialización del Suministro Eléctrico en baja y media tensión\" AR-NT-SUCOM\" (…) It is important to emphasize that ICE did not issue an unfounded denial and therefore has not violated any fundamental right, such as the right to public electricity service (…)\" (sic) (emphasis not in original).\n\n4.- The legal requirements have been observed throughout the proceedings.\n\nOpinion drafted by Justice Araya García; and,\n\nWhereas:\n\nI.- Subject of the writ. The petitioners, who live in the community known as La Herediana, Siquirres, Limón, claimed that the electrical grid in the area has deteriorated seriously and progressively, causing repeated interruptions to electrical service. They further noted that the access road entirely lacks public street lighting, remaining in complete darkness at night and in the early morning hours, which puts the community at risk, including elderly residents. They stated that steps had been taken before ICE to resolve the described problem, but that ICE had not intervened.\n\nII.- Preliminary matters. Before analyzing the merits of the matter — regarding the alleged violation of the right to prompt and effective administrative proceedings — it must be explained that, beginning with Decision No. 2008-02545 issued at 8:55 hours on February 22, 2008, this Sala Constitucional has held that matters in which the question is whether the public administration has or has not met the deadlines established by the Ley General de la Administración Pública (Articles 261 and 325) or by sector-specific laws for special administrative proceedings — to resolve by final act an administrative proceeding initiated ex officio or at the request of a party, or to hear applicable administrative appeals — must be referred to the administrative courts (jurisdicción contencioso administrativa), with some exceptions. The present case involves an exception: the apparent delay by the Administration in attending to a request for maintenance of the electrical grid and for installation of public street lighting, the deteriorated condition and absence of which, respectively, affect the community involved, including elderly residents.\n\nIII.- Established facts. The following facts are considered duly established and are material to the decision in this matter:\n\n1. On May 31, 2021, several residents of the community of La Herediana, Siquirres, Limón, submitted the following to the ICE Agency in Siquirres: \"(…) We send you our warmest regards and at the same time inform you that the undersigned persons request and need you to extend the public electrical installation as far as the bridge located approximately 200 meters from the main road as soon as possible, since there are many trees and the cables are damaged because many animals such as sloths, skunks, squirrels and others climb on them, and we have been suffering from this situation for many years. Furthermore, with the construction of a roundabout at the entrance to the property, the poles will have to be moved, and you should take advantage of the situation to bring the line all the way to the farm where there are 7 built houses. It goes without saying that the road we are referring to is public (…)\" (sic) (emphasis not in original) (see evidence submitted by the petitioners, added to the digital case file).\n\n2. By letter No. 1550-0650-2021 dated July 14, 2021, the Head of the Área Desarrollo Región Huetar Caribe of ICE replied to the applicants: \"(…) I am pleased to respond to your request for a line extension for the community of Herediana. We advise you that the site of interest coincides with case number 2017-02-034. Following the technical study conducted to provide electrical service on this road, we conclude that this project requires the construction of approximately 350 meters of line with its equipment, in order to provide service to 09 customers. To proceed with the requested construction of electrical distribution lines, it is necessary that you present title deed certifications (certificación literal) for your properties and a public road certification issued by the Municipality indicating the plot plan number of the property, length, and width of the right-of-way, starting from the existing bridge, since toward the main road it is a public road certified by the municipality pursuant to certification DIVC-SIQ-2017-030 with a width of 10 meters. In addition, the width of the existing bridge must be improved to allow access for machinery, and the width of the public road must be corrected. In light of the foregoing, once the requirements specific to the application have been met and all is in order, we will proceed to include the case in the inventory of pending demand in order to execute this project in future electrification programs, provided no administrative, financial, or other problems arise that are outside our control. We also remind you that the actual width of the road along the entire route must match what is stated in the certification issued by the Municipality; if any discrepancies exist, we request that you correct them (…)\" (sic) (emphasis not in original) (see evidence submitted by the petitioners, added to the digital case file).\n\n3. The interested parties have not submitted the requested documentation (see the report filed, added to the digital case file).\n\n4. On November 2, 2023, the ICE Agency in Siquirres informed Nombre07: \"(…) In response to your Development request (Line Extension), submitted today, we are informing you that your request has been forwarded to our technical unit for the corresponding study, the result of which we will communicate to you in due course. If you need information about your request, please contact our ICE SIQUIRRES Agency at telephone Telf06 (Telf07) and indicate that your case has been assigned number Telf01. This number is essential for any inquiries about your case (…)\" (sic) (see evidence submitted by the petitioners, added to the digital case file).\n\n5. As explained by the Coordinator of the ICE Agency in Siquirres: \"(…) we must clarify that the repairs requested by the petitioners, as well as the risks associated with the deteriorated electrical wiring, correspond to private electrical service connections used by the users themselves to transport energy from the meters located on the main road to their homes, in an irregular manner. For this reason, the maintenance and repair of those connections is not ICE's responsibility, but rather that of the respective users (…) The petitioners persist in pointing to the existence of exposed, tangled wires in conditions of danger to people and wildlife, as well as an alleged failure to comply with technical standards. However, they omit to mention that these situations originate from the irregular transfer and use of private electrical service connections carried out by the residents themselves, who have created the very risk they now report, as a consequence of failing to meet the requirements imposed by the Administration for the proper and safe provision of service. It is important to emphasize that the wiring owned by ICE on the main road complies with current technical standards and receives proper maintenance, as well as timely and safe attention to outages. Therefore, it is not correct to equate ICE's distribution network with the irregular private service connection installations carried out by residents of the area. Faults in the distribution network, both at medium and low voltage, are handled by ICE nationwide. To do so, a report is made by calling 1194 and attention to the fault is coordinated. However, what the writ mentions regarding fault response refers specifically to the connections located after the delivery point, which are private service connections (…)\" (sic) (emphasis not in original) (see the report filed under oath, added to the digital case file).\n\nIV.- Unproven fact. The following fact, material to this decision, is considered not established: sole item — that the petitioners or any resident of the community filed a complaint with ICE regarding the specific problem described in the filing initiating the writ of amparo.\n\nV.- On the specific case. It is worth underscoring that in their filing the petitioners only referred to steps that were allegedly taken before ICE to report the described problem, but they did not specify dates, much less submit the relevant evidence. Indeed, the attached documentation concerns requests for line extensions and utility pole relocation, and does not assert what is detailed in the writ of amparo.\n\nVI.- In parallel, this Sala Constitucional, by Decision No. 2026004599 issued at 09:20 hours on February 6, 2026, resolved writ of amparo No. 26-002008-0007-CO, filed by Nombre02, in terms identical to the present case:\n\n\"(…) 1.- By filing submitted to the Secretariat of this Sala Constitucional at 11:43 hours on January 20, 2026, the petitioner files a writ of amparo against the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad. She states that 'The electrical grid in our area is in extremely deteriorated condition, with exposed cables tangled together, in several sections lying directly on the ground. This situation has occurred mainly because wild animals, such as monkeys and sloths, hang from the wiring, causing it to come loose, snap, or hang at low height. On multiple occasions, such damage has been \"resolved\" in improvised fashion, by taping cables together with tape, without meeting any electrical safety standard, which further aggravates the existing danger. During periods of heavy rain, the situation worsens considerably, as branches or trees fall onto the electrical grid, causing prolonged service interruptions. Given the lack of timely attention by ICE, it is we neighbors who must take responsibility for seeking solutions to restore electricity. When such damage occurs, we must hire individuals with technical electrical knowledge, since these are complex and dangerous jobs. On many occasions, our homes have been without electrical service for one or two days, increasing insecurity and risk for those of us who live in the area. My father, don Nombre09, an elderly man, was for years the one who helped repair the electrical grid due to his experience, with no one forcing him to do so, but out of solidarity. However, this situation represented a serious risk to his life, and for that reason, given his age, we must today turn to third parties to carry out these tasks. The conditions described constitute a real, permanent, and imminent danger, since contact with exposed electrical cables, especially during the rainy season, can cause electrocution, fires, or fatal accidents. Community residents have witnessed cables catching fire when wild animals become trapped in the electrical grid, a situation that demonstrates the high level of deterioration and neglect of the current electrical system. This problem not only puts at risk the people who live in or pass through the area, but also the wildlife, which is seriously affected by electrocutions and burns, in violation of basic principles of environmental protection. It is urgent that immediate corrective measures be adopted, such as the proper installation of utility poles, raising and protecting the electrical grid, and maintenance in accordance with current technical standards, in order to safeguard the lives, physical integrity, and safety of the people. Additionally, access to our homes is via a road that has absolutely no public street lighting, remaining in complete darkness at night and in the early morning hours. This situation has created an atmosphere of serious insecurity. On one occasion, my father was the victim of a robbery in the late afternoon-evening on that road, in which he was injured, an event that was clearly facilitated by the complete absence of lighting. The lack of public street lighting particularly affects women, elderly persons, and working people who travel alone at night and in the early morning hours, as this road is the only access to our homes. Despite having previously approached the ICE office in Siquirres, our requests have been disregarded, without any effective solution being provided to us, thus constituting a serious institutional omission.' (sic). Based on the allegations set forth, she considers that the challenged actions are violating fundamental rights. She requests that the writ be granted with the legal consequences thereof (…)\n\nIII.- ON THE SPECIFIC CASE: From the reports of the challenged authorities — which are given under the solemnity of oath with the corresponding legal consequences — it follows that on May 31, 2021, the petitioner, together with a group of residents of the area, requested a line extension from the Siquirres Agency, which was registered under case file number 2021-02-041. It was established that on July 1, 2021, ICE authorities conducted a technical inspection, which determined that the road had access problems due to the width of the street. It was demonstrated that on July 14, 2021, response letter No. 1550-0650-2021 was issued to the petitioners, requesting that they provide title deed certifications for the properties of those interested, a public road certification issued by the relevant municipality, and that improvements be made to the public roadway, specifically with regard to its width. It was verified that the letter notified the residents that, once the required documentation was submitted and the specified conditions were met, the request would be included among works to be constructed. It was proven that the residents have not submitted the requested documentation and that, during the field study conducted on site, it was found that the demand to be served corresponds to nine dwellings, three of which have no electrical service, while the remaining six are in the condition of poorly served customers, since they have installed their meters on third-party properties and extend their private electrical service connections to their homes. It was verified that on site there is no distribution network built by ICE in front of the properties. It was established as proven that the repairs carried out by the residents correspond to private electrical service connections used by the users themselves to transport energy from the meters located on the main road to their homes, in an irregular manner. Finally, it was established that the case remains in process, pending the petitioners and neighborhood residents complying with the essential requirements needed to continue the procedure and ensure that electrical service is provided in accordance with applicable technical regulations. In conclusion, it is not true that the authorities of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad refuse to resolve the requests for electrical service filed by the petitioner and the residents. As was demonstrated, the challenged authority, from July 14, 2021, issued response letter No. 1550-0650-2021 to the petitioners, requesting that they provide title deed certifications for the properties of those interested, a public road certification issued by the relevant municipality, and that improvements be made to the public roadway, specifically with regard to its width — and it has been the interested parties who have failed to comply with what was required. In sum, it was demonstrated that the repairs the petitioner claims to have had to undertake privately are repairs associated with the electrical wiring used to transport energy from the meters located on the main road to their homes, in an irregular manner. Given that scenario, and taking into account that the challenged authority states that 'The case remains in process, pending the petitioners and neighborhood residents complying with the essential requirements needed to continue the procedure and ensure that electrical service is provided in accordance with applicable technical regulations,' the writ is procedurally inadmissible (…)\" (sic) (emphasis not in original).\n\nVII.- There are no particular reasons or reasons of public interest that would cause this Tribunal to depart from the position stated.\n\nVIII.- Conclusion. The petitioners shall abide by the ruling in Decision No. 2026004599 issued at 09:20 hours on February 6, 2026.\n\nIX.- Note of Justice Castillo Víquez, regarding prompt and effective administrative justice. I have supported this Tribunal's position that, when a party alleges a violation of the right to prompt and effective administrative justice, the legal dispute must be heard by the administrative courts and not by this Sala Constitucional. However, with the recent enactment of Ley n.° 9097, Ley de Regulación del Derecho de Petición (Law Regulating the Right of Petition), it has been established that this right is amenable to judicial protection by means of the writ of amparo established under Article 32 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, in relation to Article 27 of the Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica, in cases where the petitioner considers that the Administration's material actions, its administrative acts, or its response are affecting fundamental rights. In my view, the recently enacted legislation does not mean that this Tribunal must modify its jurisprudential line; under Article 7 of the Tribunal's own Law, it is exclusively for this Tribunal to define its own jurisdiction. Accordingly, except for those legal-constitutional disputes that this same Sala Constitucional has recognized as exceptional cases — which do proceed to be heard in this jurisdiction through the constitutional amparo process — in all other cases, and for the reasons this Tribunal has stated (Decision No. 2008-02545 issued at 8:55 hours on February 22, 2008), the competent body is the administrative courts, all of which is consistent with Article 25 of the Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos (American Convention on Human Rights), the Law of the Constitution (values, principles, and rules), and the applicable statutory provisions, based on a logical, systemic, and teleological interpretation of the legal order.\n\nX.- Documentation submitted to the case file. The parties are advised that if they have submitted any paper documents, objects, or evidence contained in any additional electronic, computer, magnetic, optical, telematic, or technology-produced device, these must be retrieved from the office within a maximum period of 30 business days counted from notification of this decision. Otherwise, all material not retrieved within this period will be destroyed, as provided in the \"Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial,\" approved by the Corte Plena in Session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, Article XXVI, and published in Boletín Judicial No. 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as in the agreement approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial in Session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, Article LXXXI.\n\nPor tanto:\n\nThe petitioners shall abide by the ruling in Decision No.\n\n2026004599 at 09:20 hours on February 6, 2026. Justice Castillo Víquez adds a note. Let it be notified.\n\nFernando Castillo V.\n\nPresident\n\nFernando Cruz C.\n\nPaul Rueda L.\n\nLuis Fdo. Salazar A.\n\nJorge Araya G.\n\nAnamari Garro V.\n\nIngrid Hess H.\n\nDigitally Signed Document\n\n-- Verification Code --\n\nDM1IPNAN5EG61\n\nCASE FILE N° 26-002003-0007-CO\n\nTelephones: Telf02/ ALA-4TA (Telf03). Fax: Telf04 / Telf05. Electronic address: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Address: (Dirección01, Dirección02, 100 meters south of the Perpetuo Socorro church).\n\nExp: 26-002003-0007-CO\nRes. Nº 2026013305\n\nCONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE. San José, at nine hours and twenty minutes on the twenty-first of April two thousand twenty-six.\n\nAmparo petition (recurso de amparo) filed by **Nombre01**, national identity card number (cédula de identidad) CED04, **Nombre02**, national identity card number CED05, **Nombre03**, national identity card number CED06, **Nombre04**, national identity card number CED07, **Nombre05**, national identity card number CED08, **Nombre06**, national identity card number CED09, **Nombre07**, national identity card number CED10, and **Nombre08**, national identity card number CED11, against the **INSTITUTO COSTARRICENSE DE ELECTRICIDAD (ICE)**.\n\n**Findings:**\n\n**1.-** By means of the filing added to the digital case file at 11:48 hours on January 20, 2026, Nombre01 and others filed an amparo petition against ICE. The petitioners, who live in the community known as La Herediana, Siquirres, Limón, claimed that the electrical grid (tendido eléctrico) in the area has deteriorated in a serious and progressive manner, causing repeated interruptions of the electricity service. They further underscored that the access road is entirely without public street lighting (alumbrado público), remaining in complete darkness at night and in the early morning hours, placing the community at risk, including elderly residents. They stated that requests had been made to ICE to address the described problems, but that ICE had not intervened. They requested that the petition be granted.\n\n**2.-** By means of the procedural order (auto) issued at 10:44 hours on January 26, 2026, the amparo petition was admitted and referred to the Coordinator of the ICE Integrated Agency in Siquirres.\n\n**3.-** By means of the filing added to the digital case file at 16:23 hours on February 2, 2026, Carlos Augusto Arce Molina, Coordinator of the ICE Integrated Agency in Siquirres, reported: *\"(…) Before doing so, I clarify that although the petition was filed against me, I am generating this report based on the administrative file and technical analyses carried out by the Guápiles-Región Huetar Development Area within administrative file #2021-02-041, but I am attaching the administrative certification issued by that office for amparo petition Nº 26-002008-0007-CO, since it concerns the same case, and it is that Development Area that was responsible for handling the petitioners' case. The Chamber should note that even the referral of this petition mentions that several neighbors from the same location filed other amparo petitions in the same vein. Likewise, I request that the Chamber declare lack of active standing (falta de legitimación ad causam activa) on the part of the following individuals, since as is recorded in our administrative file — and in the petitioners' own evidence — the following persons filed no request whatsoever with ICE: Nombre01, national identity card number CED01; and Nombre07, national identity card number CED02 (…) On May 31, 2021, several of the petitioners, collectively and as a group of neighbors in the area — except for petitioners Nombre01 and Nombre07 — requested a line extension (extensión de líneas) from the Siquirres Agency, which was registered under file number 2021-02-041 (pages 1 to 4 of administrative file #2021-02-041 of the Guápiles-Región Huetar Development Area). • On July 1, 2021, ICE conducted the technical inspection, which determined that the road had access problems due to the width of the street (pages 1 and 5 of administrative file #2021-02-041). • On July 14, 2021, the Caribbean Region Development Area issued reply notice Nº CED03 to the petitioners, requesting that they provide official property title certificates (certificaciones literales) for the properties of the interested parties, a public road certification issued by the relevant municipality indicating the lot plan number, length, and right-of-way width, as well as improvements to the public road, specifically regarding its width (pages 1 to 7 of administrative file #2021-02-041). That notice expressly stated that, once the required documentation was submitted and the specified conditions were met, the request would be included among the works to be constructed. To date, however, this has not been possible, given that the interested parties have not submitted the requested documentation. • During the field study conducted on-site, it was established that the demand to be served corresponds to nine dwellings, three of which lack electrical service, while the remaining six are in the condition of poorly served customers (clientes mal servidos), given that they have installed their meters on third-party properties and extend their private electrical service connections (acometidas eléctricas privadas) to their dwellings. It was likewise verified that no distribution network built by ICE exists in front of the properties at the site. The Chamber should note that, as recorded on page 6 of the administrative file, \"this project requires the construction of approximately 350 meters of line with its equipment, in order to provide service to 09 customers.\" Consequently, **we must clarify that the repairs requested by the petitioning party, as well as the risks associated with deteriorated electrical wiring, correspond to private electrical service connections used by the users themselves to transport electricity from the meters located on the main road to their dwellings, in an irregular manner. Accordingly, the maintenance and repair of those connections is not ICE's responsibility, but that of the respective users** (…) In view of the foregoing, it is important to note that in those areas the requirements of Law Nº 4240 on organized urban planning are not being met, since prior to the construction of dwellings and prior to the issuance of construction permits, the Municipality requires the interested parties to demonstrate the availability of electricity and water at the intended construction site, so as to ensure the availability of the basic services that are part of a dignified life. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we must point out that when some individuals carry out developments or construction without the corresponding municipal permits and in violation of established procedures, it has become customary to resort to this constitutional avenue as a means of accessing such services in contravention of the mechanisms and requirements established for the entire community. Consequently, ICE has not violated any constitutional right of the petitioning party or of third parties. The request processed under file N° 2021-02-041 has been attended to and handled in accordance with applicable regulations, placing on record the characteristics and background of the area. It should also be noted that ICE has not issued a denial nor has it been remiss. The case remains pending, awaiting the petitioning party and the neighbors in the area complying with the essential requirements needed to continue with the procedure and ensure that the electrical service is provided in accordance with applicable technical regulations. **Contrary to what the petitioners claim, the delay in addressing the case is not attributable to the institution, but to the failure of the interested parties to act, and not to an omission by the Administration, as the petitioner incorrectly asserts. The petitioners insist on pointing to the existence of exposed, tangled cables in dangerous condition for people and wildlife, as well as the alleged non-compliance with technical regulations. However, they fail to mention that these situations originate in the irregular relocation and use of private electrical service connections by the neighbors themselves, who have created the very risk they now report, as a consequence of their failure to meet the requirements requested by the Administration for the adequate and safe provision of the service. It is important to emphasize that the ICE-owned cabling on the main road complies with current technical regulations and receives proper maintenance, as well as timely and safe attention to outages. Therefore, it is incorrect to equate ICE's distribution network with the irregular private service connection installations carried out by the area's neighbors. Outages in the distribution network, both at medium and low voltage, are addressed by ICE at the national level. To do so, the corresponding report is made to 1194 and the repair is coordinated. However, what the amparo petition refers to regarding outage repairs specifically concerns the connections located after the delivery point, which are private service connections** (…) we have demonstrated that it is necessary at the site to construct a distribution network for the line extension to allow for the provision of adequate electrical service in compliance with technical regulations and with the proper delivery points for correct maintenance; however, to date, the petitioning party and the neighbors have not provided the Administration with the documentation required to include the work as pending execution and proceed with the corresponding budget estimate; the irregular connections do not belong to ICE, nor is their maintenance ICE's responsibility, until the service is regularized and the network is built. ICE, we reiterate, has complied with the technical regulations issued by the Public Services Regulatory Authority (Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos), specifically the standard 'Supervisión de la Comercialización del Suministro Eléctrico en baja y media tensión' AR-NT-SUCOM\" (…) It is important to emphasize that ICE did not issue an unfounded denial and therefore has not violated any fundamental right such as the right to the public electricity service (…)\"* (sic) (emphasis not in the original).\n\n**4.-** The applicable legal requirements have been observed throughout the proceedings conducted.\n\nThe opinion is drafted by Justice **Araya García**; and,\n\n**Considering:**\n\n**I.- Subject of the petition.** The petitioners, who live in the community known as La Herediana, Siquirres, Limón, claimed that the electrical grid in the area has deteriorated in a serious and progressive manner, causing repeated interruptions of the electricity service. They further underscored that the access road is entirely without public street lighting, remaining in complete darkness at night and in the early morning hours, placing the community at risk, including elderly residents. They stated that requests had been made to ICE to address the described problems, but that ICE had not intervened.\n\n**II.- Preliminary matters.** Before examining the merits of the case — specifically the alleged violation of the right to prompt and effective proceedings (derecho a un procedimiento pronto y cumplido) — it must be explained that, beginning with ruling No. 2008-02545 issued at 8:55 hours on February 22, 2008, this Chamber has held that matters in which it is disputed whether or not the public administration has complied with the deadlines set by the General Administrative Procedures Act (Ley General de la Administración Pública) (articles 261 and 325) or by sector-specific laws for special administrative procedures — to resolve an administrative proceeding by a final administrative act (acto final), whether initiated ex officio or at a party's request, or to hear applicable administrative appeals — must be referred to the administrative contentious jurisdiction (jurisdicción contencioso administrativa), with certain exceptions. The *sub lite* presents an exceptional circumstance: the apparent delay by the Administration in addressing a request for maintenance of the electrical grid and installation of public street lighting, the poor condition and absence of which, respectively, affect the community involved, including elderly residents.\n\n**III.- Proven facts.** The following facts are deemed duly established as relevant to the decision in this matter:\n\n1. On **May 31, 2021**, several neighbors of the community of La Herediana, Siquirres, Limón, submitted the following to the ICE Agency in Siquirres: *\"(…) Greetings. We, the undersigned, hereby request and need you to **extend the public electrical installation to the bridge located approximately 200 meters from the main road as soon as possible, since there are many trees and the cables get damaged** because many animals climb them, such as sloths, skunks, squirrels, and others; we have been suffering from this situation for many years. **Furthermore, with the construction of a roundabout at the property entrance, the poles will need to be moved, and this opportunity should be used to extend the line to the farm where 7 houses have been built.** We need hardly add that the road we are referring to is a public road (…)\"* (sic) (emphasis not in the original) (see the evidence submitted by the petitioners, added to the digital case file).\n\n2. By means of **notice No. 1550-0650-2021 of July 14, 2021**, the Head of the ICE Huetar Caribbean Region Development Area responded to the petitioners: *\"(…) I hereby respond to your **request for a line extension for the Herediana community.** We inform you that the site of interest coincides with case number 2017-02-034. Having conducted the technical study to provide electrical service on this road, the conclusion is that this project requires the construction of approximately 350 meters of line with its equipment to provide service to 09 customers. **In order to proceed with the requested construction of electrical distribution lines, it is necessary for you to submit official property title certificates and a public road certification issued by the Municipality indicating the lot plan number, length, and right-of-way width, starting from the existing bridge, given that toward the main road it is a public road certified by the municipality under certification DIVC-SIQ-2017-030 with a width of 10 meters. In addition, the width of the existing bridge must be improved to allow machinery access, and the width of the public road must be corrected.** For the reasons stated above, once the requirements specific to the request are met and everything is in order, we will proceed to include the case in the pending demand inventory so that this project may be executed in future electrification programs, provided that no administrative, financial, or other problems arise beyond our control. We remind you that the actual width of the road throughout its entire length must be as stated in the certification issued by the Municipality; should any discrepancies exist, we ask that you correct them (…)\"* (sic) (emphasis not in the original) (see the evidence submitted by the petitioners, added to the digital case file).\n\n3. The interested parties have not submitted the requested documentation (see the submitted report, added to the digital case file).\n\n4. On **November 2, 2023**, the ICE Agency in Siquirres informed Nombre07: *\"(…) In response to your Development request (Line Extension), submitted today, we are informing you that your request has been forwarded to our technical department for the corresponding study, the results of which we will communicate to you in due course. Should you need information about your request, please contact our ICE SIQUIRRES Agency at telephone Telf06 (Telf07), and indicate that your case has been assigned number Telf01. This number is essential for any inquiry about your case (…)\"* (sic) (see the evidence submitted by the petitioners, added to the digital case file).\n\n5. As explained by the ICE Agency Coordinator in Siquirres: \"(…) we must clarify that the repairs requested by the petitioners, as well as the risks associated with the deteriorated electrical wiring, correspond to **private electrical service connections (acometidas eléctricas privadas)**, used by the users themselves to transport energy from the meters located on the main road to their homes, in an irregular manner. Accordingly, the maintenance and repair of those private service connections is not ICE's responsibility, but rather that of the corresponding users (…) The petitioners insist on pointing to the existence of exposed, tangled, and dangerous cables posing a hazard to people and wildlife, as well as alleged non-compliance with technical standards. However, they fail to mention that **those conditions originate from the irregular relocation and use of private electrical service connections, carried out by the residents themselves, who have created the very risk they now report, as a consequence of their failure to meet the requirements requested by the Administration for the proper and safe provision of the service.** It is important to emphasize that the wiring owned by ICE located along the main road complies with current technical standards, receives appropriate maintenance, and has service outages attended to in a timely and safe manner. Therefore, it is not accurate to equate ICE's distribution network with the irregular private service connection installations set up by the residents of the area. Outages in the distribution network, both in medium and low voltage, are handled by ICE at the national level. For this purpose, the corresponding report is submitted to 1194 and the outage is coordinated for attention. Nevertheless, **what the amparo appeal (recurso de amparo) mentions with respect to outage response refers specifically to the private service connections located beyond the point of delivery** (…)\" (sic) (emphasis not in the original) (see the sworn report included in the digital file).\n\n**IV.- Unproven Fact.** The following fact, relevant to this decision, is considered not proven: **sole.-** that the petitioners or any resident of the area filed a complaint with ICE regarding the specific problem described in the petition.\n\n**V.- On the Specific Case.** It is worth noting that in their petition, the petitioners only referred to purported measures allegedly submitted to ICE reporting the described problem, without specifying dates and without providing any supporting evidence. Indeed, the attached documentation concerns requests for electrical line extension and relocation of utility poles, and does not address the claims set out in the amparo appeal.\n\n**VI.-** Concurrently, this Constitutional Chamber, by judgment No. 2026004599 issued at 09:20 hours on February 6, 2026, resolved amparo appeal No. 26-002008-0007-CO, filed by Nombre02, **in identical terms to the** ***sub examine***:\n\n\"(…) 1.- By a written submission filed with the Clerk of this Chamber at 11:43 hours on January 20, 2026, the petitioner filed an amparo appeal against the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad. She states that **\"The electrical grid (tendido eléctrico) in our area is in an extremely deteriorated condition, with exposed cables, tangled together in several sections, lying directly on the ground.** This situation has arisen primarily because wild animals, such as monkeys and sloths, hang from the cables, causing them to come loose, snap, or hang at low heights. On multiple occasions, such damage has been 'resolved' in an improvised fashion by taping cables together with tape, without complying with any electrical safety standard, which further aggravates the existing danger. During heavy rainy seasons, the situation worsens considerably, as branches or trees fall on the electrical grid, causing prolonged service interruptions. **Faced with ICE's failure to provide timely attention, it is we, the residents, who must take on the responsibility of finding solutions to restore electricity.** When such damage occurs, we must hire private individuals with technical electrical knowledge, since these are complex and dangerous jobs. **On many occasions, our homes remain without electrical service for one or two days, increasing the insecurity and risk for those of us who live in the area.** My father, don Nombre09, an elderly person, was for many years the one who helped repair the electrical grid due to his experience, not because anyone required him to, but out of solidarity. However, this situation posed a serious risk to his life, and for that reason, given his age, we now have to turn to third parties to carry out this work. **The conditions described constitute a real, permanent, and imminent danger, since contact with exposed electrical cables, especially during the rainy season, can cause electrocution, fires, or fatal accidents.** Community residents have witnessed cables catching fire when wild animals become trapped in the electrical grid, a situation that evidences the high level of deterioration and neglect of the current electrical system. This problem not only endangers the people who live or travel through the area, but also the local wildlife, which is severely affected by electrocutions and burns, threatening basic principles of environmental protection. It is urgent that immediate corrective measures be adopted, such as the proper installation of utility poles, elevation and protection of the electrical grid, and maintenance in accordance with current technical standards, in order to safeguard the lives, physical integrity, and safety of the residents. **Furthermore, access to our homes is along a road that has absolutely no public street lighting (alumbrado público), remaining in complete darkness at night and in the early morning hours.** This situation has created an environment of high insecurity. On one occasion, my father was the victim of a robbery in the afternoon-evening hours on that road, suffering injuries — an incident clearly facilitated by the total absence of lighting. **The lack of public street lighting particularly affects women, elderly persons, and working people who travel alone at night and in the early morning hours, and this road is the only access to our homes. Despite having previously approached ICE in Siquirres, our requests have been ignored, without any effective solution being provided to us, thereby constituting a serious institutional omission**.\" (sic). Based on the allegations set forth, she considers that the challenged conduct violates fundamental rights. She requests that the appeal be granted with the legal consequences thereof (…)\n\nIII.- ON THE SPECIFIC CASE: From the reports of the respondent authorities, given under oath with the legal consequences that this entails, it is apparent that on May 31, 2021, the petitioner, together with a group of residents of the area, requested a line extension from the Siquirres agency, which was registered under expediente number 2021-02-041. It was established that on July 1, 2021, ICE authorities conducted a technical inspection, during which it was determined that the road had access problems due to its width. It was shown that on July 14, 2021, official response letter N.° 1550-0650-2021 was issued to the petitioners, requesting them to submit certified property records for all interested parties, a public road certificate issued by the relevant municipality, and improvements to the public road, specifically regarding its width. It was verified that the letter informed the residents that, once the required documentation was submitted and the stated conditions met, the request would be included among works to be constructed. It was proven that the residents have not submitted the requested documentation and that, during the field study conducted on-site, it was found that the demand to be served consists of nine dwellings, three of which do not have electrical service, while the remaining six are in the condition of improperly served customers (clientes mal servidos), having installed their meters on third-party properties and extending their private service connections to their homes. It was verified that no distribution network built by ICE exists in front of the properties on the site. It was established as fact that the repairs carried out by the residents correspond to private electrical service connections, used by the users themselves to transport energy from the meters located on the main road to their homes, in an irregular manner. Finally, it was established that the case remains pending, awaiting compliance by the petitioner and the area residents with the essential requirements to continue the procedure and ensure that the electrical service is provided in accordance with the applicable technical standards. **In conclusion, it is not true that the authorities of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad refuse to resolve the requests for electrical service submitted by the petitioner and the residents. As was demonstrated, the respondent authority issued, as of July 14, 2021, official response letter N.° 1550-0650-2021 to the petitioners, requesting them to submit certified property records for all interested parties, a public road certificate issued by the relevant municipality, and improvements to the public road, specifically regarding its width, and it is the interested parties who have not complied with what was required. In sum, it was shown that the repairs that the petitioner claims to have had to undertake privately are repairs associated with the electrical wiring they used to transport energy from the meters located on the main road to their homes, in an irregular manner. Given that state of affairs, and taking into account that the respondent authority affirms that \"the case remains pending, awaiting compliance by the petitioner and the area residents with the essential requirements to continue the procedure and ensure that the electrical service is provided in accordance with the applicable technical standards,\" the appeal does not lie** (…)\" (sic) (emphasis not in the original).\n\n**VII.-** There are no particular or public-interest reasons that would cause this Tribunal to depart from the position set out above.\n\n**VIII.- Conclusion.** The petitioners shall abide by the ruling in judgment No. 2026004599 issued at 09:20 hours on February 6, 2026.\n\n**IX.- Note by Magistrate Castillo Víquez, on the matter of prompt and effective administrative justice.** I have supported this Tribunal's position that when a litigant alleges a violation of the right to prompt and effective administrative justice (justicia administrativa pronta y cumplida) in the administrative jurisdiction (sede administrativa), it is the Contentious-Administrative Courts (Tribunales de lo Contencioso-Administrativo) that must hear the legal dispute, not this Chamber. Now, with the recent enactment of Ley n.° 9097, Ley de Regulación del Derecho de Petición, it has been established that this right is subject to judicial protection through the amparo appeal established by article 32 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, read in conjunction with article 27 of the Constitución Política de la República de Costa Rica, in those cases where the petitioner considers that the administration's material acts, its administrative acts, or its response are affecting their fundamental rights. In my view, the recently enacted legislation does not mean that this Tribunal must modify its line of jurisprudence, since, pursuant to article 7 of its governing law, it is exclusively for this Chamber to define its own jurisdiction. Accordingly, except for those constitutional-law disputes that this very Chamber has recognized as exceptional cases — which may properly be heard in this jurisdiction through constitutional amparo protection proceedings (proceso constitucional de garantía del amparo) — in all other cases, and for the reasons given by this Tribunal (judgment N° 2008-02545 issued at 8:55 hours on February 22, 2008), jurisdiction lies with the judges of the contentious-administrative jurisdiction (jurisdicción de lo contencioso-administrativo), all of which is consistent with article 25 of the Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos, Constitutional Law (values, principles, and norms), and the corresponding statutory provisions, based on a logical, systemic, and teleological interpretation of the legal order.\n\n**X.- Documentation submitted to the file.** The parties are hereby advised that if they have submitted any paper documents, as well as objects or evidence contained in any additional electronic, informational, magnetic, optical, telematic, or new-technology device, these must be retrieved from the office within a maximum period of 30 business days from the date of notification of this judgment. Otherwise, all material not retrieved within this period will be destroyed, pursuant to the provisions of the \"Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial,\" approved by the Corte Plena in session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, article XXVI, and published in Boletín Judicial No. 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as the agreement approved by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial in session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, article LXXXI.\n\n**Por tanto:**\n\nThe petitioners shall abide by the ruling in judgment No. 2026004599 issued at 09:20 hours on February 6, 2026. Magistrate Castillo Víquez appends a separate note. Notice is hereby given.\n\nFernando Castillo V.\nPresident\n\nFernando Cruz C.\n\nPaul Rueda L.\n\nThe content you pasted does not contain a Spanish legal text excerpt to translate. The bulk of the input is a base64-encoded JPEG image, followed by a small fragment of HTML styling markup ending with \"Luis Fdo.\" — which appears to be the beginning of a signature line (\"Luis Fernando...\").\n\nThere is no Spanish legal prose in this chunk for me to translate.\n\nCould you paste the actual text of the document excerpt? If you are working from a Word or PDF file, the text content likely needs to be extracted separately from any embedded images before being sent for translation.\n\nSalazar A.\n\nJorge Araya G.\n\nAnamari Garro V.\n\nIngrid Hess H.\n\nDigitally Signed Document\n-- Verification Code --\n\nDM1IPNAN5EG61\n\nEXPEDIENTE N° 26-002003-0007-CO\n\nTelephones: Telf02 / ALA-4TA (Telf03). Fax: Telf04 / Telf05. Website: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Address: (Dirección01, Dirección02, 100 m. south of the Church of Perpetuo Socorro).\n\n---\n\n**Exp: 26-002003-0007-CO**\n**Res. Nº 2026013305**\n\n**CONSTITUTIONAL CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE. San José, at nine hours and twenty minutes on the twenty-first of April, two thousand and twenty-six.**\n\nAmparo writ (recurso de amparo) filed by **Nombre01**, national identity card number (cédula de identidad) CED04, **Nombre02**, national identity card number CED05, **Nombre03**, national identity card number CED06, **Nombre04**, national identity card number CED07, **Nombre05**, national identity card number CED08, **Nombre06**, national identity card number CED09, **Nombre07**, national identity card number CED10, and **Nombre08**, national identity card number CED11, against the **INSTITUTO COSTARRICENSE DE ELECTRICIDAD (ICE).**\n\n**Background:**\n\n**1.-** By means of the filing added to the digital case file at 11:48 hours on January 20, 2026, Nombre01 and others filed an amparo writ against ICE. The petitioners, who reside in the community known as La Herediana, Siquirres, Limón, alleged that the electrical grid (tendido eléctrico) in the area has deteriorated severely and progressively, causing repeated interruptions in electrical service. They further emphasized that the access road entirely lacks public street lighting (alumbrado público), remaining in complete darkness throughout the night and early morning hours, placing the community at risk, including elderly residents. They stated that they had made requests to ICE to resolve the described problems, but ICE had not intervened. They requested that the writ be granted.\n\n**2.-** By means of the procedural order (auto) issued at 10:44 hours on January 26, 2026, the amparo writ was admitted and referred for response (traslado) to the Coordinator of the Integrated Agency (Agencia Integrada) in Siquirres of ICE.\n\n**3.-** By means of the filing added to the digital case file at 16:23 hours on February 2, 2026, Carlos Augusto Arce Molina, Coordinator of the Integrated Agency in Siquirres of ICE, reported: *\"(…) Before doing so, I note that although the writ is filed against me, this report is generated from the administrative case file (expediente administrativo) and the technical analyses carried out by the Guápiles-Huetar Region Development Area (Área de Desarrollo Guápiles-Región Huetar) within administrative case file #2021-02-041; I am, however, providing the administrative certificate (certificación administrativa) issued by that office for amparo writ Nº 26-002008-0007-CO, given that it concerns the same matter, and it is that Development Area that handled the petitioners' case. The Chamber should note that even the referral order in the present writ mentions that several neighbors from the same location filed other amparo writs to the same effect.*\n\nLikewise, I request the Constitutional Chamber (Sala) to declare lack of active standing (*legitimación ad causam activa*) on the part of the following individuals, since — as reflected in our administrative file (*expediente administrativo*) and in the petitioners' own evidence — the following persons filed no request whatsoever with ICE: Nombre01, national identity card CED01; and Nombre07, national identity card CED02 (…) On May 31, 2021, several of the petitioners, acting jointly as a group of residents of the area — with the exception of petitioners Nombre01 and Nombre07 — submitted a request for a line extension (*extensión de líneas*) at the ICE Agency in Siquirres, which was registered under case file number 2021-02-041 (pages [folios] 1 to 4 of administrative file #2021-02-041 of the Guápiles Development Area–Huetar Region). • On July 1, 2021, ICE conducted the technical inspection, during which it was determined that the access road had problems due to the width of the street (pages 1 and 5 of administrative file #2021-02-041). • On July 14, 2021, the Caribbean Region Development Area issued official letter (*oficio*) No. CED03 in response to the petitioners, requesting them to provide certified property records (*certificaciones literales*) for the properties of the interested parties, a public road certification (*constancia de calle pública*) issued by the relevant municipality — indicating the property plan number, length, and right-of-way (*derecho de vía*) width — as well as improvements to the public road, specifically regarding its width (pages 1 to 7 of administrative file #2021-02-041). That official letter expressly stated that, once the required documentation was submitted and the stated conditions were met, the request would be included among works to be constructed. However, to date, this has not been possible, because the interested parties have not submitted the requested documentation. • During the field study conducted at the site, it was determined that the demand to be served corresponds to nine dwellings, three of which lack electrical service, while the remaining six are in the condition of poorly served customers (*clientes mal servidos*), as they have installed their meters (*medidores*) on third-party properties and run their service connections (*acometidas*) from those meters to their own homes. It was also verified that no distribution network (*red de distribución*) built by ICE exists in front of the properties. The Constitutional Chamber should note that, as recorded on page 6 of the administrative file, \"this project requires the construction of approximately 350 meters of line with its equipment, in order to provide service to 09 customers.\" Accordingly, ***we must clarify that the repairs requested by the petitioning party, as well as the risks associated with deteriorated electrical cabling, correspond to private electrical service connections (*acometidas eléctricas privadas*) used by the users themselves to transport electricity from the meters located on the main road to their homes, in an irregular manner. Therefore, the maintenance and repair of those connections is not ICE's responsibility, but that of the respective users*** (…) In light of the foregoing, it is important to state that in those areas the requirements of organized urban planning (*planificación urbana organizada*) established in Ley Nº 4240 on urban planning are not being observed, since prior to the construction of dwellings and prior to the issuance of building permits (*permisos de construcción*), the Municipality requires interested parties to demonstrate electrical and water service availability (*disponibilidad eléctrica y de agua*) at the location where construction is intended, so as to guarantee that the basic services forming part of a dignified life are in place. Notwithstanding the above, it must be pointed out that when some individuals carry out developments or construction without the corresponding municipal permits and in violation of established procedures, it has become customary to resort to this constitutional avenue as a means of accessing such services in contravention of the mechanisms and requirements established for the community as a whole. Accordingly, ICE has not violated any constitutional right of the petitioning party or of third parties. The request processed under case file No. 2021-02-041 has been handled and managed in accordance with applicable regulations, with a record of the characteristics and background of the area. It is also worth noting that ICE has not issued a denial nor has it been inactive. The case remains pending, awaiting the petitioner and the local residents to satisfy the necessary requirements to continue the process and to ensure that electrical service is provided in compliance with applicable technical regulations. ***Contrary to what the petitioners allege, the delay in handling the case is not attributable to the institution, but to the interested parties' failure to take action, and not to an omission by the Administration, as the petitioner erroneously contends. The petitioners continue to point to the existence of exposed, tangled cables in dangerous conditions for people and wildlife, as well as the alleged failure to comply with technical regulations. However, they fail to mention that those situations originate from the irregular relocation and use of private electrical service connections carried out by the residents themselves, who have created the very risk now being reported, as a consequence of their failure to comply with the requirements set by the Administration for the adequate and safe provision of service.*** It is important to emphasize that the cabling owned by ICE located along the main road complies with applicable technical regulations and receives appropriate maintenance, as well as timely and safe outage response. Therefore, it is not correct to equate ICE's distribution network with the irregular private connection installations carried out by area residents. Outages in the distribution network, at both medium voltage (*media tensión*) and low voltage (*baja tensión*), are addressed by ICE nationwide. To do so, the corresponding report is filed at 1194 and the outage response is coordinated. However, ***what is mentioned in the writ of amparo (*recurso de amparo*) regarding outage response refers specifically to the connections located beyond the delivery point (*punto de entrega*), which are private connections*** (…) we have demonstrated that at the site it is necessary to construct a distribution network for the line extension to enable the provision of adequate electrical service in compliance with technical regulations and with respect to the delivery points for proper maintenance; however, to date, the petitioner and local residents have not submitted to the Administration the documentation required to include the work as pending execution and to proceed with the corresponding budget estimate; the irregular connections are not ICE's property, nor is their maintenance ICE's responsibility, until the service is regularized and the network is built. ICE, we reiterate, has complied with the technical regulations issued by the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos, specifically the standard \"Supervisión de la Comercialización del Suministro Eléctrico en baja y media tensión\" AR-NT-SUCOM (…) It is important to emphasize that ICE did not issue an unfounded denial and, therefore, has not violated any fundamental right, such as the right to the public electricity service (…)\" (sic) (emphasis not in the original).\n\n**4.-** The legal requirements have been observed in the proceedings followed.\n\nOpinion drafted by Justice (*Magistrado*) **Araya García**; and,\n\n**Considering:**\n\n**I.- Subject matter of the appeal.** The petitioners, who live in the community known as La Herediana, Siquirres, Limón, claimed that the electrical infrastructure (*tendido eléctrico*) of the area has deteriorated severely and progressively, causing repeated interruptions of the electricity service. They also emphasized that the access road lacks any public street lighting (*alumbrado público*) whatsoever, remaining in complete darkness during the night and early morning hours, which puts the community at risk, including elderly adults. They stated that requests had been made to ICE to resolve the described problem, but that ICE had not intervened.\n\n**II.- Preliminary matters.** Before analyzing the merits of the case — concerning the alleged violation of the right to a prompt and effective proceeding — it must be explained that, since ruling No. 2008-02545 of 8:55 a.m. on February 22, 2008, this Constitutional Chamber has held that — with certain exceptions — matters in which it is disputed whether a public administration has or has not complied with the deadlines established by the Ley General de la Administración Pública (articles 261 and 325) or by sector-specific laws for special administrative proceedings, for the purpose of resolving by final act an administrative proceeding — initiated ex officio or at a party's request — or for hearing applicable administrative appeals, must be referred to the administrative contentious jurisdiction (*jurisdicción contencioso administrativa*). In the *sub lite*, an exceptional circumstance is presented: the apparent delay by the Administration in responding to a request for maintenance of electrical infrastructure and installation of public street lighting, the deteriorated state and absence of which, respectively, affects the community involved, including elderly adults.\n\n**III.- Proven facts.** The following facts, deemed relevant to the resolution of this matter, are considered to have been duly established:\n\n1. On **May 31, 2021**, several residents of the community of La Herediana, Siquirres, Limón, submitted the following to the ICE Agency in Siquirres: *\"(…) We extend a cordial greeting, and we hereby inform you that the undersigned individuals request and need **to have the public electrical installation extended to the bridge located approximately 200 meters from the main road as soon as possible, since there are many trees and the cables are damaged** because many animals climb them, such as sloths, skunks, squirrels, and others; we have been suffering from this situation for many years. **Furthermore, with the construction of a roundabout at the property entrance, the utility poles must be relocated, and this opportunity should be used to extend the line to the farmstead where 7 homes have been built.** It goes without saying that the road we are referring to is a public road (…)\"* (sic) (emphasis not in the original) (see evidence submitted by the petitioners, included in the digital file).\n\n2. By means of **official letter No. 1550-0650-2021 of July 14, 2021**, the Head of the ICE Huetar Caribbean Region Development Area responded to the applicants (*gestionantes*): *\"(…) I hereby provide a response to your **request for a line extension for the community of Herediana.** We inform you that the site of interest coincides with case number 2017-02-034. Having conducted the technical study to provide electrical service on this road, we conclude that this project requires the construction of approximately 350 meters of line with its equipment, in order to provide service to 09 customers. **To proceed with the requested construction of electrical distribution lines, it is necessary for you to provide your property titles (certified property record) and a public road certification issued by the Municipality indicating the property plan number, length, and right-of-way width, starting from the existing bridge, given that toward the main road the way is a public road certified by the municipality according to certification DIVC-SIQ-2017-030 with a width of 10 meters. In addition, the width of the existing bridge must be improved to allow machinery access, and the width of the public road must be corrected.** For the foregoing reasons, once the requirements specific to the request are met and everything is in proper legal order, we will proceed to include the case in the pending-demand inventory in order to execute this project in future electrification programs, provided no administrative, financial, or other problems beyond our control arise. We also remind you that the actual width of the road along the entire route must match what is stated in the certification issued by the Municipality; should any discrepancies exist, we ask that they be corrected (…)\"* (sic) (emphasis not in the original) (see evidence submitted by the petitioners, included in the digital file).\n\n3. The interested parties have not submitted the requested documentation (see the report filed, included in the digital file).\n\n4. On **November 2, 2023**, the ICE Agency in Siquirres informed Nombre07: *\"(…) In response to your Development request (Line Extension), submitted today, we are informing you that your request has been forwarded to our technical department for the corresponding study, the result of which we will communicate to you in due course. Should you need information about your request, please contact our ICE SIQUIRRES Agency at telephone Telf06 (Telf07) and indicate that your case has been assigned the number Telf01. This number is essential for any inquiry about your case (…)\"* (sic) (see evidence submitted by the petitioners, included in the digital file).\n\n5. As explained by the Coordinator of the ICE Agency in Siquirres: *\"(…) we must clarify that the repairs requested by the petitioning party, as well as the risks associated with deteriorated electrical cabling, correspond to **private electrical service connections used by the users themselves to transport electricity from the meters located on the main road to their homes, in an irregular manner. Therefore, the maintenance and repair of those connections is not ICE's responsibility, but that of the respective users** (…) The petitioners continue to point to the existence of exposed, tangled cables in dangerous conditions for people and wildlife, as well as the alleged failure to comply with technical regulations. However, they fail to mention that **those situations originate from the irregular relocation and use of private electrical service connections carried out by the residents themselves, who have created the very risk now being reported, as a consequence of their failure to comply with the requirements set by the Administration for the adequate and safe provision of service.** It is important to emphasize that the cabling owned by ICE located along the main road complies with applicable technical regulations and receives appropriate maintenance, as well as timely and safe outage response. Therefore, it is not correct to equate ICE's distribution network with the irregular private connection installations carried out by area residents. Outages in the distribution network, at both medium and low voltage, are addressed by ICE nationwide. To report an outage, the corresponding report is filed at 1194 and the outage response is coordinated. However, **what is mentioned in the writ of amparo regarding outage response refers specifically to the connections located beyond the delivery point, which are private connections** (…)\"* (sic) (emphasis not in the original) (see the sworn report filed, included in the digital file).\n\n**IV.- Unproven fact.** The following fact, relevant to this ruling, is considered not to have been established: **sole unproven fact —** that the petitioners or any resident of the locality filed a complaint with ICE concerning the exact problem described in the writ of amparo.\n\n**V.- On the specific case.** It is worth noting that in their initial filing, the petitioners merely referred to proceedings that were supposedly submitted to ICE reporting the described problem, without specifying dates and without providing the relevant evidence. Indeed, the attached documentation pertains to requests for electrical line extensions and pole relocation, without raising the issues detailed in the writ of amparo.\n\n**VI.-** In parallel, this Constitutional Chamber, by ruling No. 2026004599 of 9:20 a.m. on February 6, 2026, resolved writ of amparo No. 26-002008-0007-CO, filed by Nombre02, **in identical terms to the *sub examine*:**\n\n*\"(…) 1.- By written submission filed with the Secretariat of this Constitutional Chamber at 11:43 a.m. on January 20, 2026, the petitioner files a writ of amparo against the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad. She states that **\"The electrical infrastructure of our area is in an extremely deteriorated condition, with exposed cables, tangled together in several sections, lying directly on the ground.** This situation has occurred mainly because wild animals, such as monkeys and sloths, hang from the cables, causing them to come loose, snap, or hang at low height. On multiple occasions, these damages have been 'resolved' in an improvised manner, by taping cables together with tape, without complying with any electrical safety standard, which further worsens the existing danger. During periods of heavy rainfall, the situation deteriorates considerably, as branches or trees fall on the electrical infrastructure, causing prolonged service interruptions. **Faced with ICE's failure to provide timely attention, it is we, the neighboring residents, who must take on the responsibility of finding solutions to restore the electricity.** When these damages occur, we must hire private individuals with technical knowledge in electrical work, since these are complex and dangerous tasks. **In many cases, our homes go without electrical service for one or two days, increasing insecurity and risk for those of us who live in the area.** My father, don Nombre09, an elderly adult, was for years the person who helped repair the electrical infrastructure owing to his experience, not because anyone required him to, but out of solidarity. However, this situation posed a serious risk to his life, which is why, due to his age, we must now turn to third parties to carry out these tasks.*\n\nThe conditions described constitute a real, permanent, and imminent danger, as contact with exposed electrical wires, particularly during the rainy season, can cause electrocution, fires, or fatal accidents. Community residents have witnessed wires catching fire when wild animals become entangled in the electrical lines, a situation that evidences the high level of deterioration and abandonment of the current electrical system. This problem puts at risk not only the people who live in or pass through the area, but also wildlife, which is gravely affected by electrocutions and burns, in violation of basic principles of environmental protection. Immediate corrective measures are urgently needed, such as the proper installation of utility poles, raising and protecting the electrical lines, and maintenance in accordance with applicable technical standards, in order to safeguard residents' lives, physical integrity, and safety. Additionally, access to our homes is by a road that is entirely without public lighting (alumbrado público), remaining in complete darkness throughout the night and early morning hours. This situation has created an environment of serious insecurity. On one occasion, my father was the victim of a robbery on that road in the late afternoon and evening hours, and was injured, an incident clearly facilitated by the complete absence of lighting. The lack of public lighting particularly affects women, older adults, and working people who travel alone at night and in the early morning hours, as this road is the only access to our homes. Despite having previously approached ICE in Siquirres, our requests have been ignored, with no effective solution provided, thereby constituting a serious institutional failure to act\" (sic). Based on the allegations set forth, the petitioner contends that the challenged conduct violates fundamental rights. The petitioner requests that the appeal be granted with the legal consequences that follow (…)\n\nIII.- ON THE SPECIFIC CASE: From the reports of the respondent authorities, which are submitted under oath with the corresponding legal consequences, it appears that on May 31, 2021, the petitioner, together with a group of residents of the area, requested a line extension at the Siquirres branch office, which was registered under file number 2021-02-041. It was established that on July 1, 2021, ICE authorities conducted the technical inspection, during which it was determined that the road had access problems due to its width. It was demonstrated that on July 14, 2021, official letter N.° 1550-0650-2021 was issued in response to the petitioners, requesting that they provide literal property certificates (certificaciones literales) for the interested parties' properties, a public-road certification (constancia de calle pública) issued by the relevant municipality, and roadway improvements, specifically with respect to width. It was verified that the official letter informed the residents that, once the required documentation was submitted and the specified conditions met, the request would be included among planned construction works. It was proven that the residents have not submitted the requested documentation and that during the on-site field study, it was found that the service request covers nine households: three of them lack electrical service entirely, while the remaining six are in the condition of underserved customers (clientes mal servidos), having installed their meters on third-party properties and running service connections (acometidas eléctricas) to their own homes. It was verified that no ICE-built distribution network exists in front of the properties. It was established that the repairs carried out by the residents consist of private service connections, used by the residents themselves to transport electricity from meters located on the main road to their homes, on an irregular basis. Finally, it was established that the case remains pending, awaiting the petitioner's and the area residents' compliance with the essential requirements to continue with the proceedings and ensure that electrical service is provided in accordance with applicable technical standards. In conclusion, it is not the case that the authorities of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad refuse to resolve the electrical service requests filed by the petitioner and the residents. As demonstrated, the respondent authority issued official letter N.° 1550-0650-2021 to the petitioners as of July 14, 2021, requesting that they provide literal property certificates for the interested parties' properties, a public-road certification issued by the relevant municipality, and roadway improvements, specifically with respect to width; and it has been the interested parties themselves who have failed to comply with what was required of them. In sum, it was demonstrated that the repairs the petitioner alleges having had to undertake privately are repairs to the electrical wiring used to transport electricity from meters on the main road to their homes, on an irregular basis. Given this picture, and taking into account that the respondent authority states that \"The case remains pending, awaiting the petitioner's and the area residents' compliance with the essential requirements to continue with the proceedings and ensure that electrical service is provided in accordance with applicable technical standards,\" the appeal is therefore without merit (…)\" (sic) (emphasis not in original).\n\n**VII.-** There are no particular or public-interest grounds that would cause this Tribunal to depart from the position it has taken.\n\n**VIII.- Conclusion.** The petitioners shall abide by the ruling in judgment No. 2026004599 of 09:20 hours of February 6, 2026.\n\n**IX.- Note by Magistrate Castillo Víquez, regarding prompt and effective administrative justice.** I have supported this Tribunal's position that when a party alleges a violation of the right to prompt and effective justice (justicia pronta y cumplida) in the administrative sphere, the appropriate forum to resolve the legal dispute is the Administrative Courts (Tribunales de lo Contencioso-Administrativo), not this Chamber. However, with the recent enactment of Ley n.° 9097, Ley de Regulación del Derecho de Petición, it has been established that this right is susceptible to judicial protection through the amparo appeal (recurso de amparo) provided for in article 32 of the Ley de la Jurisdicción Constitucional, in relation to article 27 of the Constitution of the Republic of Costa Rica, in those cases where the petitioner considers that the material acts of the Administration, its administrative decisions, or its response are affecting the petitioner's fundamental rights. In my view, the recently enacted legislation does not require this Tribunal to modify its jurisprudential line, as it is this Tribunal that, pursuant to article 7 of its governing Law, has the exclusive authority to define its own jurisdiction. Therefore, except for those constitutional legal disputes that this same Chamber has recognized as exceptional cases, which may properly be heard in this jurisdiction through the constitutional amparo appeal, in all other cases, and for the reasons set forth by this Tribunal (judgment N° 2008-02545 of 8:55 hours of February 22, 2008), jurisdiction lies with the judges of the administrative courts, all of which is consistent with article 25 of the Convención Americana sobre Derechos Humanos, the Law of the Constitution (values, principles, and norms), and the corresponding statutory provisions, based on a logical, systemic, and teleological interpretation of the legal order.\n\n**X.- Documentation Submitted to the Case File.** The parties are hereby notified that if they have submitted any paper documents, objects, or evidence contained in any additional electronic, computer, magnetic, optical, telematic, or new-technology device, such materials must be retrieved from the court office within a maximum period of 30 business days from the date of notification of this judgment. Otherwise, all materials not retrieved within this period will be destroyed, pursuant to the \"Reglamento sobre Expediente Electrónico ante el Poder Judicial,\" approved by the Corte Plena in session No. 27-11 of August 22, 2011, article XXVI, and published in Boletín Judicial No. 19 of January 26, 2012, as well as the resolution adopted by the Consejo Superior del Poder Judicial in session No. 43-12 held on May 3, 2012, article LXXXI.\n\nPor tanto:\n\nThe parties shall abide by the ruling in judgment No. 2026004599 of 09:20 hours of February 6, 2026. Magistrate Castillo Víquez submits a separate note. Notice to be served.\n\nFernando Castillo V.\nPresident\n\nFernando Cruz C.\n\nPaul Rueda L.\n\nThe content you pasted does not contain a Spanish legal text excerpt to translate. The bulk of the input is a base64-encoded JPEG image, followed by a small fragment of HTML styling markup ending with \"Luis Fdo.\" — which appears to be the beginning of a signature line (\"Luis Fernando...\").\n\nThere is no Spanish legal prose in this chunk for me to translate.\n\nCould you paste the actual text of the document excerpt? If you are working from a Word or PDF file, the text content likely needs to be extracted separately from any embedded images before being sent for translation.\n\nSalazar A.\n\nJorge Araya G.\n\nAnamari Garro V.\n\nIngrid Hess H.\n\nDigitally Signed Document\n-- Verification Code --\n\nDM1IPNAN5EG61\n\nEXPEDIENTE N° 26-002003-0007-CO\n\nTelephone: Telf02 / ALA-4TA (Telf03). Fax: Telf04 / Telf05. Electronic address: www.poder-judicial.go.cr/salaconstitucional. Address: (Dirección01, Dirección02, 100 m south of the Perpetuo Socorro church)."
}