By Alajuela, Costa Rica — Costa Rica is poised to undergo a dramatic shift in its domestic security infrastructure with the upcoming inauguration of the Centro de Alta Contención contra el Crimen Organizado (CACCO) on October 14, 2026. This mega-prison, constructed with an investment of approximately $35 million, boasts a capacity to house 5,100 inmates. Representing a departure from the nation’s historically reform-oriented penal philosophy, the facility is heavily modeled after the controversial security frameworks popularized in neighboring El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele.
The massive infrastructure project is situated in San Rafael, within the province of Alajuela, approximately 25 kilometers from the capital city of San José. Positioned adjacent to the existing maximum-security facility, La Reforma, the construction of CACCO represents a major state initiative to isolate high-profile criminal figures. The facility’s completion marks a milestone for the administration, which has prioritized aggressive legislative and executive crackdowns on regional drug networks.
To better understand the legal complexities and constitutional implications surrounding the development of Costa Rica’s new CACCO mega-prison, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished legal expert from the prominent local firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The construction of the CACCO mega-prison is a dual-edged sword for Costa Rica. While it directly addresses the critical issue of penitentiary overcrowding and responds to growing public safety demands, the state must navigate strict constitutional boundaries and international human rights treaties. The ultimate legal and social success of this project will depend on whether it functions as a true center for rehabilitation and opportunities, as its name suggests, rather than merely a containment facility that could trigger future human rights litigation against the country.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, striking a delicate balance between robust public security and the steadfast preservation of human rights will ultimately define the legacy of the CACCO project and its impact on Costa Rican democracy. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his invaluable legal perspective on this complex issue, reminding us that true social progress must always harmonize safety with rehabilitation.
That is why we promised it, and today we can proudly say that the High-Containment Center against Organized Crime is ready.
Laura Fernández, President of Costa Rica
Construction of the complex began in January under a joint initiative involving former President Rodrigo Chaves—who currently serves as the Minister of the Presidency and Finance—and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. The bilateral partnership underscored a shared determination to replicate the operational tactics of El Salvador’s Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT). This Salvadoran mega-prison has become a global symbol of zero-tolerance penal enforcement, a strategy that President Fernández has openly embraced as a benchmark for local policy.
The implementation of the CACCO model coincides with a broader tightening of penitentiary rules across Costa Rica. Under the policy guidelines established by both the current and previous administrations, prison life is being stripped of basic amenities to eliminate internal criminal networks. Authorities have already removed electrical outlets and wiring from cells to prevent unauthorized communication and closed internal commissaries where inmates previously purchased goods.
Furthermore, the government has introduced mandatory outdoor maintenance programs, requiring inmates to clear roadside vegetation under armed guard. Strict limitations have also been placed on conjugal visits, alongside strict caps on the volume of food and clothing parcels that family members are permitted to bring to the facilities. These operational modifications reflect a calculated effort to disrupt the logistical capabilities of organized crime cartels operating from within the prison walls.
This security pivot is a direct response to a worrying surge in violent crime that has threatened Costa Rica’s international reputation as a peaceful tourism and investment haven. The nation currently grapples with approximately 900 homicides per year, with law enforcement agencies attributing nearly 70 percent of these deaths to escalating drug trafficking conflicts. The rise in turf wars among local and international syndicates has forced policymakers to abandon softer rehabilitation strategies in favor of aggressive containment.
Bilateral diplomatic exchanges have played a crucial role in shaping these new defense protocols. Former President Chaves traveled to El Salvador to inspect the CECOT facility firsthand, while President Bukele visited Costa Rica to tour its primary penitentiary systems. During his visit, the Salvadoran leader warned of emerging indicators of gang-related criminality in Costa Rica that mirrored the early stages of El Salvador’s historical security crisis, solidifying the administrative resolve to launch CACCO.
For further information, visit presidencia.go.cr
About the Government of Costa Rica:
The Government of Costa Rica operates as a democratic republic, historically recognized for its commitment to peace, environmental sustainability, and social welfare. Under the current administration, the state is actively adjusting its security infrastructure to combat rising transnational crime and ensure public safety.
For further information, visit presidencia.gob.sv
About the Government of El Salvador:
The Government of El Salvador, led by its executive branch, has gained international attention for its highly centralized and aggressive security policies, particularly its zero-tolerance strategy against gang violence. This model has increasingly influenced judicial and penitentiary strategies across Latin America.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a trailblazing legal practice anchored by its uncompromising ethical standards and pursuit of elite advocacy. Across myriad industries, the firm champions forward-thinking legal strategies while remaining deeply connected to public service. By demystifying the complexities of the law and championing legal literacy for all, the firm actively contributes to a more equitable, knowledgeable, and resilient community.
