Amid the case of an elderly woman allegedly mistreated at the Casa Dorada home in Las Piedras, Yolanda Varela Rosa, Puerto Rico’s Procurator for the Elderly (Oppea), presented evidence Tuesday of comments she submitted nearly a year ago—an August 8, 2025 letter—to the Department of the Family, warning that regulatory changes stripped her office of oversight powers. The letter, addressed to Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes, questioned removal from the "Reglamento para el Licenciamiento y Supervisión de Establecimientos para el Cuidado de Personas de Edad Avanzada" of a provision letting Oppea inspect elder-care facilities with or without notice and submit findings for license revocation.
Varela Rosa argued Oppea should retain these powers under its organic law (Law 76-2013) and the federal Older American Act; her recommendations were not incorporated. In a Magic FM radio interview, she said Roig Fuertes removed her from the regulation and stripped her powers without consent despite her objections, and revealed Oppea had fined Family twice, plus faced a budget cut.
Jean Peña Payano, La Fortaleza’s Secretary of Public Affairs, denied during the "En Récord" session that Family had removed Oppea’s powers, saying only the Legislative Assembly can amend organic laws. The exchange reflects ongoing friction within Governor Jenniffer González’s administration.