Costa Rica Opens Bukele-Inspired Maximum Security Prison

Costa Rican President Laura Fernández inaugurated the Center of High Containment for Organized Crime (CACCO) on Wednesday at the La Reforma penitentiary complex in San Rafael de Alajuela. The facility, inspired by El Salvador's CECOT model, spans 31,000 square meters and is designed to hold 5,100 high-profile inmates across five modules.

Construction exceeded the 195-day deadline promised by former President Rodrigo Chaves, who had targeted a July 27, 2026 completion date. The project was awarded to Edificadora Centroamericana Rapiparedes for approximately $33.1 million. Modules two and four are expected to reach capacity by late October, with full occupancy of 1,020 inmates per module projected for December 2026.

“They are the Pablo Escobars of 2026.”

The prison regime imposes strict restrictions including one hour of daily sunlight, a ban on personal items, orange uniforms, and limited visitation. Justice Minister Gabriel Aguilar and Social Adaptation Director Lucrecia Tejada stated the facility will house criminal organization leaders and individuals posing grave risks of violence or intimidation.

During the ceremony, Fernández criticized the Judicial Branch while defending her administration's "iron fist" security policy. She travels to El Salvador Friday through Sunday for a bilateral meeting with President Nayib Bukele and a tour of the CECOT mega-prison.