Costa Rica Welcomes El Salvador’s Bukele to Unveil New Mega-Prison Before Election

On January 13, 2026, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele arrived in Costa Rica for a significant event. He inaugurated a new maximum-security prison, named the Center for High Containment of Organized Crime (CACCO). This undertaking comes shortly before Costa Rica’s presidential election scheduled for February 1, highlighting the critical issue of crime in political campaigns.

CACCO: A New Chapter in Costa Rica’s Crime Fight

The CACCO facility is strategically located about 11 miles (18 kilometers) from San Jose. It aims to house 5,100 inmates, augmenting Costa Rica’s prison capacity by 40%. This initiative is part of an aggressive crackdown on rising violence, which has been attributed to drug trafficking activities in the region.

Background on the Initiative

• The Costa Rican government, led by President Rodrigo Chaves, announced the prison’s construction last year.
• El Salvador is providing technical assistance, modeling the facility after its own controversial Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).
• Bukele claims that the practices employed at CECOT will be mirrored in the CACCO.

During the inauguration, Bukele remarked on the success of El Salvador’s strategies, which he credited with a significant drop in violence, though human rights organizations have raised concerns about prison conditions.

Political Context: Elections and Crime

The Costa Rican presidential election is looming, and crime remains a central issue for voters. The rising homicide rate, driven by drug cartel conflicts, has placed pressure on the ruling party’s candidate, Laura Fernandez, who leads current polls. The ruling party is aiming for over 40% of the votes in the first electoral round.

Reforming the Justice System

President Chaves, set to leave office on May 8, has criticized the current justice system, attributing the rising homicide rates to its inadequacies. He advocates for reforms, including:

• Stricter penalties for gang-related activities.
• Replacement of judges and magistrates.
• Making gang membership a criminal offense.

The CACCO’s future effectiveness depends on these legal reforms, according to Chaves. He has warned that without change, the facility may end up underutilized.

Concerns Over Political Interference

Opposition groups have voiced concerns about Bukele’s presence in Costa Rica, suggesting it might interfere with the electoral process. However, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal determined that no laws prohibited his visit but cautioned him against influencing political sentiments during his stay.

Bukele reminded that both Costa Rica and El Salvador face distinct challenges related to crime. He emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue to prevent further escalations.