Costa Rica opens mega-prison for organised crime inmates

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 21:56 · Archive

Costa Rica has transferred 123 inmates into a newly built maximum-security facility designed to house 5,100 prisoners.

Costa Rica has transferred its first 123 inmates into a newly constructed mega-prison on the outskirts of San José. The High-Containment Center Against Organized Crime (CACCO) was built with assistance from El Salvador's government at a cost of $35 million and was inaugurated by President Laura Fernández on 15 October.

The facility has capacity for 5,100 inmates, representing 20 per cent of the country's national prison population. Justice Minister Gabriel Aguilar said the prison would 'help reduce overcrowding in the prison system' and called CACCO 'a monument to national security, a forceful response to organized crime, and a guarantee that the state will exercise its authority without hesitation'. The new facility reflects the government's 'tough on crime' stance.

Costa Rica, historically regarded as one of Latin America's safest countries, has experienced a sharp rise in violence linked to drug trafficking and organised crime. The country recorded 905 homicides in 2023, 876 in 2024 and 873 in 2025. Authorities attribute most killings to disputes between criminal groups over drug trafficking routes and markets. The construction of CACCO follows El Salvador's use of mega-prisons to detain gang members and suspected affiliates.

How it is being reported

• Costa Rica’s mega-prison receives first inmatesPresident Laura Fernandez inaugurated the $35m mega-prison built to house up to 5,100 inmates near San Jose.Al Jazeera · 28 Oct, 21:36
• Costa Rica transfers first inmates to new mega-prison inspired by El Salvador's CECOTThe facility has room for 5,100 inmates, representing 20% of the national prison populationIndependent World · 27 Oct, 20:18

In this story: Costa Rica · San José · Laura Fernández · Gabriel Aguilar · El Salvador · Nayib Bukele

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log