Costa Rica is taking a major step in its fight against organized crime, officially opening a $35-million mega-prison inspired by El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s controversial crackdown on gangs.

The new maximum-security facility, inaugurated on October 14 by Costa Rican President Laura Fernández, can house up to 5,100 inmates and is designed to hold some of the country’s most dangerous criminals.

Located in Alajuela, just outside San José, the prison is called the High-Containment Center Against Organized Crime (CACCO). Its first inmates are expected to arrive later this month. 

Why Is Costa Rica Building a Mega-Prison?

For decades, Costa Rica was considered one of Central America’s safest and most peaceful countries.

But rising drug trafficking, organized crime and gang-related violence have changed that reputation.

The country recorded 905 homicides in 2023, followed by 876 in 2024 and 873 in 2025. Authorities have linked much of the violence to criminal organizations competing for control of drug trafficking routes.

The government hopes the new prison will help isolate powerful criminal leaders and prevent them from continuing to operate their networks from behind bars. 

Following Nayib Bukele’s Playbook

The project takes inspiration from El Salvador’s massive Terrorism Confinement Center, better known as CECOT.

Under President Nayib Bukele, El Salvador has carried out one of Latin America’s most aggressive anti-gang campaigns, arresting tens of thousands of suspected gang members and dramatically reducing the country’s homicide rate.

His approach has made him enormously popular among supporters who credit him with restoring security.

However, human rights organizations have criticized the crackdown, raising concerns about arbitrary arrests, prison conditions and violations of due process.

Despite those concerns, Costa Rica is now joining a growing number of Latin American countries looking to El Salvador for inspiration. 

A New Direction for Costa Rica

President Fernández has promised a tougher approach to organized crime, making public security one of her administration’s priorities.

The new prison represents a significant shift for a country traditionally associated with peace, tourism and political stability.

But building a massive prison is only one part of the challenge. Costa Rica must also strengthen investigations, secure convictions and address the criminal networks responsible for the violence.

Whether the Bukele-inspired approach delivers similar results remains to be seen.

One thing is clear: El Salvador’s influence on crime and security policies across Latin America continues to grow.

And with Costa Rica now embracing its own version of the mega-prison model, the debate over security, human rights and how far governments should go to fight organized crime is far from over.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, AFP.