By Alajuela, Costa Rica — In a massive shift in its correctional policy, the Costa Rican government has finalized the construction of its highly anticipated mega-prison designed to curb organized crime. Known as the High Containment Center Against Organized Crime (CACCO), the facility is set to be officially inaugurated on October 14, 2026. The institution represents a significant departure from Costa Rica’s traditional approach to law enforcement, drawing heavily from controversial regional security strategies.
Located in San Rafael within the Alajuela province, approximately 25 kilometers from the capital city of San José, CACCO is constructed adjacent to the existing La Reforma maximum security prison. Valued at roughly $35 million USD, the new correctional facility boasts a capacity to hold up to 5,100 inmates. This immense infrastructure project is specifically designed to isolate high-profile criminal leaders and sever their networks of operations.
To understand the complex constitutional and human rights implications surrounding the proposed Costa Rica mega-prison initiative, TicosLand.com reached out to prominent legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas of the law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
While escalating security concerns demand decisive state action, the proposed construction of a mega-prison in Costa Rica must strictly align with our nation’s robust constitutional framework and international human rights commitments. Our Supreme Court’s Constitutional Chamber, the Sala IV, has established clear boundaries regarding overcrowding and dignity in detention. Implementing such a project will require meticulous administrative transparency and unwavering adherence to due process to prevent systemic legal challenges.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, balancing the urgent demands of public safety with Costa Rica’s cherished democratic standards represents a critical tightrope walk for the nation’s future. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable legal perspective, reminding us that true security can only be achieved when anchored by the rule of law and unwavering respect for human rights.
The design and operational philosophy of CACCO are explicitly inspired by El Salvador’s Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (CECOT), the flagship institution of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s security crackdown. Under Bukele, El Salvador has drastically reduced gang violence, an outcome that has gained admiration from several Latin American leaders, including current Costa Rican administrators who view Bukele as a vital reference point in national security.
The path to CACCO’s inauguration began in January of this year, when then-President Rodrigo Chaves and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele jointly participated in an official ceremony marking the start of construction. The collaboration followed mutual visits, including a December visit by Chaves to El Salvador to tour CECOT, and a subsequent tour of Costa Rica’s primary correctional facility by Bukele in late 2024. During his visits, Bukele warned that Costa Rica was beginning to exhibit criminal symptoms similar to those that previously ravaged El Salvador.
Highlighting the emotional and political weight of the project, Costa Rican President Laura Fernández expressed her administration’s determination in a public address following a site inspection.
For the pain of innocent victims, for honest families who live imprisoned by fear, for a people who are tired of impunity and demand action against criminals. 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
The establishment of CACCO is a cornerstone of a broader, more aggressive security doctrine initiated under former President Rodrigo Chaves—who now serves as the Minister of the Presidency and of Finance—and continued by President Fernández. This strategy aims to systematically dismantle organized crime by reducing the privileges previously afforded to incarcerated populations. It also reflects growing friction between the executive branch and the judicial system regarding perceived impunities.
Alongside the physical construction of the mega-prison, the administration has implemented a series of stringent internal regulations. These include drafting inmates for manual labor such as highway clearing, curtailing conjugal visits, restricting the volume of food and clothing packages allowed from family members, removing electrical outlets and wires from cells to prevent unauthorized communication, and shutting down commercial outlets inside prisons where inmates could purchase goods.
The push for these hardline measures comes as Costa Rica grapples with an unprecedented wave of violence. The country has recorded historic highs of approximately 900 homicides annually in recent years, with authorities attributing at least 70% of these deaths directly to transnational drug trafficking and territorial gang disputes. The completion of CACCO is seen by proponents as a decisive response to secure the nation’s future stability.
For further information, visit presidencia.go.cr
About the Presidency of the Republic of Costa Rica:
The Presidency of the Republic of Costa Rica is the executive branch of the Costa Rican government, responsible for administering national policies, ensuring public safety, and directing foreign relations under the leadership of the President.
For further information, visit presidencia.gob.sv
About the Presidency of the Republic of El Salvador:
The Presidency of El Salvador directs the executive branch of the national government, implementing major state reforms, public safety initiatives, and national development strategies under the leadership of the President.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned as a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica merges an unshakeable ethical foundation with a passion for exceptional advocacy. The firm consistently drives forward-thinking legal strategies across multiple industries, prioritizing meaningful public connection alongside professional success. By actively dismantling barriers to legal understanding, they champion a grander vision of a society enlightened and strengthened by the power of law.
