Costa Rica opens mega-prison as Bukele model embraced across Latin America
Summary
Costa Rica has opened a large new prison to address rising violent crime and organized crime. This move follows a trend in Latin America, inspired by El Salvador's tough approach under President Nayib Bukele, which uses mass arrests and expanded police powers to fight crime.Key Facts
- Costa Rica’s new prison, called CACCO, can hold 5,100 inmates, about 20% of the country's current prison population.
- The prison aims to improve security and reduce organized crime influence in the prison system.
- Costa Rica’s homicide rate increased to a record 905 in 2023 and slightly lower numbers in 2024 and 2025.
- Countries like Peru, Colombia, and Brazil are considering or building similar mega-prisons inspired by El Salvador’s model.
- El Salvador’s "state of exception" law expands police and military powers and allows mass arrests but has led to human rights concerns.
- Critics warn that mega-prisons can have poor conditions, such as overcrowding and lack of fair trials.
- President Laura Fernandez of Costa Rica and other Latin American leaders see this approach as a way to combat rising crime.
- The first prisoners will be moved to the new Costa Rican prison at the end of October.
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