World · Latin America · 2 hrs ago
Costa Rica opens 5,100-capacity prison as crime fight intensifies
Costa Rica opened a new maximum-security prison near the capital, San Jose, as it steps up its fight against organised crime.
President Laura Fernandez inaugurated the High-Containment Centre Against Organised Crime, known as CACCO.
The facility can hold 5,100 people, about one-fifth of the country’s current prison population.
Costa Rica recorded 905 homicides in 2023, followed by 876 in 2024 and 873 in 2025, with authorities linking many killings to criminal groups fighting over drug routes and markets.
The prison follows El Salvador’s hard-line approach, which has been credited with reducing gang violence but criticised by rights groups over mass arrests and violations of due process.
Fernandez says the prison will help restore control over a system the justice minister says organised crime has infiltrated, while she has also said its impact depends partly on courts securing more convictions.
The first transfers are due at the end of October, and Fernandez has announced a visit to El Salvador.
Costa Rica inaugurated a maximum-security prison with capacity for 5,100 inmates as it intensifies its fight against organised crime.
President Laura Fernandez opened the High-Containment Centre Against Organised Crime, known as CACCO, near San Jose on Wednesday.
The facility is modelled on El Salvador’s mega-prison and can hold about 20 percent of Costa Rica’s current prison population.
Costa Rica recorded 905 homicides in 2023, followed by 876 in 2024 and 873 in 2025.
The first transfers to CACCO are planned for the end of October.
- Who
- Costa Rican President Laura Fernandez opened the prison.
- What
- Costa Rica inaugurated CACCO, a maximum-security prison with capacity for 5,100 inmates.
- When
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Near San Jose, Costa Rica.
- Why
- The government says the prison is part of its effort to fight organised crime and reassert control over the prison system.
Costa Rican government
Rights groups and judicial authorities
Prison policy
Costa Rican government
The government presents CACCO as part of a tough-on-crime effort to combat organised crime and improve prison security.
Rights groups and judicial authorities
Rights groups warn that mega-prison policies can involve poor conditions, overcrowding and due-process violations.
Crime crackdown
Costa Rican government
The government says the facility will help reassert state control over prisons infiltrated by organised crime.
Rights groups and judicial authorities
Judges and prosecutors have warned against pressure on democratic checks and balances.
Costa Rica recorded 905 homicides, an all-time high.
The country recorded 876 homicides.
The country recorded 873 homicides.
President Laura Fernandez inaugurated CACCO near San Jose.
The first transfers to the prison are scheduled to take place.
- Prison
- High-Containment Centre Against Organised Crime (CACCO)
- Capacity
- 5,100 inmates
- Share of prison population
- About 20 percent
- Location
- Near San Jose, Costa Rica
- Homicides in 2023
- 905
- First transfers
- Planned for the end of October
3 sources
What people are saying
The CACCO will force criminals to face a new model – a tough-on-crime model. Costa Rica will become a global benchmark for prison security.
The CACCO will force criminals to face a new model—a tough-on-crime model. Costa Rica will become a global benchmark for prison security.