Federico Gutierrez, mayor of Medellin, announced plans to build a high-security mega-prison modeled after El Salvador’s controversial anti-gang facility, signaling a tougher stance on crime ahead of Colombia’s presidential elections.

The prison, expected to open in 2027, will hold more than 1,300 inmates and be financed through a mix of public and private funds. According to city officials, the design draws inspiration from CECOT, the massive detention center championed by Nayib Bukele. That facility has drawn international criticism over alleged human rights abuses, even as it has been credited domestically with sharply reducing gang violence.

Gutierrez said the Medellín prison will include advanced technology to block inmate communications — a move aimed at curbing prison-based extortion schemes. It will also be guarded by its own security force rather than Colombia’s national prison agency.

The proposal reflects a broader regional trend, with Ecuador and Costa Rica pursuing similar projects. In Colombia, where security remains a top voter concern, the prison plan adds fuel to a national debate between hardline crackdowns and negotiated approaches to armed groups.