San Jose Costa Rica.
SANTA TECLA, El Salvador — Once considered Central America’s safest nation, Costa Rica is taking a page from El Salvador’s hardline security playbook as it confronts a record wave of drug-related violence.
The government announced Wednesday it will begin construction this year on a massive maximum-security prison modeled after El Salvador’s controversial Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).
Justice Minister Gerald Campos informed lawmakers that the new facility, which will be known as the Center for High Containment of Organized Crime (CACCO), will house up to 5,100 inmates—a 40% increase in prison capacity—and is designed to isolate the country’s most dangerous criminals.
The move comes as prisons operate at nearly 30% over capacity, with criminal leaders continuing to direct operations from behind bars.
Initially planned for 2026, the project was accelerated after a sharp rise in homicides linked to battles between drug gangs vying for trafficking routes and consumer markets.
SEE ALSO: Costa Rica’s Homicide Rate Declines in 2025, But Crime Still a Major Concern
Costa Rica recorded its highest homicide rate in 2023 at 17.2 per 100,000 people. Violence dipped slightly in 2024 and is in a small decline again in 2025, reaching about 540 killings so far this year.
“If we don’t do this, the system will collapse, and we risk internal conflicts, hostage situations, and riots,” Campos warned, noting the government has allocated $35 million for the project.
He said El Salvador is providing blueprints, technical assistance, and advanced security technology to replicate CECOT’s strict control measures.
Campos visited El Salvador in April to inspect the 40,000-capacity CECOT, the largest prison in Latin America, and praised its effectiveness in dismantling gang structures.
The partnership reflects growing regional cooperation on security as Costa Rica grapples with organized crime groups—including foreign-linked cartels—exploiting its strategic location and legal system weaknesses.
SEE ALSO: Costa Rica Crime Profile: Criminal Groups, Security Forces, the Judicial System, and Prisons
Public concern over insecurity is at an all-time high, with surveys by the University of Costa Rica’s Center for Political Research and Studies indicating that it is the nation’s top problem.
Analysts expect crime to be a central issue in the lead-up to the February 2026 presidential election, with campaigning set to begin in October.
