SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica — In a major escalation of its fight against organized crime, the Costa Rican government has fast-tracked a contract worth nearly ¢17 billion (approximately $32 million) to construct a new high-security “mega-prison,” officials confirmed this week.
The project, which draws direct inspiration from El Salvador’s controversial Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), is a cornerstone of President Rodrigo Chaves’s hardline security strategy aimed at neutralizing the country’s most dangerous criminals.
The contract was awarded to the firm Edificadora Centroamericana Rapiparedes S.A., known as Edificar, following an unusually swift emergency bidding process. The Ministry of Justice initiated the bidding on October 14 and finalized the decision on November 2, a period of just over two weeks. Two other firms, Van der Laat y Jiménez S.A. and Navarro y Avilés S.A., also competed for the contract.
The new facility, officially named the Centro de Alta Contención del Crimen Organizado (CACCO), will be built on a 90,000-square-meter plot of land at La Reforma prison complex in Alajuela. The built-out area will cover 31,000 square meters.
According to government specifications, the prison is set to be a formidable fortress. It will feature five separate modules, each capable of holding 1,020 inmates, bringing the total capacity to over 5,000. The complex will also include seven watchtowers, 20 solitary confinement cells, five medical rooms, 25 cells for private visits, a central guard post, and administrative offices.
The urgency of the project is underscored by its demanding timeline: Edificar has been given just 315 days—less than 11 months—to complete construction.
A Shift in Security Policy
The move represents a significant tactical and symbolic shift for Costa Rica, a nation long celebrated for its stability, neutrality, and abolition of its army. However, in recent years, the country has faced a severe spike in gang-related violence and homicides, shattering its reputation as an oasis of peace in Central America.
President Chaves, who has maintained high public approval ratings, has publicly blamed the escalating security crisis on a judiciary he claims is too lenient. The mega-prison is his administration’s most concrete response to date, designed to regain control of the prison system, which officials say is overcrowded and allows criminal leaders to continue running their operations from behind bars.
“We send the most dangerous inmates here, the ones who run crime from inside,” a government official stated during the project’s initial planning phase.
The primary goal of the CACCO is to isolate high-impact criminal leaders, including those facing extradition, violent offenders, and inmates who require special protection. The project aims to dramatically increase the country’s maximum-security capacity from its current level of approximately 80 spots to over 1,000, thereby easing pressure on the entire penitentiary system.
The “Bukele Model” Arrives in Costa Rica
The project’s direct link to El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, whose iron-fisted crackdown on gangs has drawn both international praise for reducing homicide rates and condemnation from human rights groups, is undeniable.
Costa Rican officials confirmed that El Salvador shared designs and technical advice for its CECOT mega-prison, a move that reportedly helped reduce the overall cost of the project. The government had originally budgeted $35 million for the facility, with lawmakers already approving ¢7.87 billion for the first phase.
The adoption of the “Bukele model” reflects a growing trend in the region, where leaders are opting for tough-on-crime posturing to address public fears. While proponents argue the new prison is a necessary tool to dismantle criminal structures, critics have already begun to raise concerns.
Opponents point to the potential for human rights abuses in such a large-scale, high-density facility. Furthermore, the use of a special emergency process to award the multimillion-dollar contract has drawn scrutiny over transparency and oversight, bypassing the standard, more lengthy public bidding procedures.
As construction begins, Costa Rica finds itself at a crossroads, balancing its historical commitment to human rights with the urgent, popular demand to reclaim security from the grip of organized crime.
People Also Ask
What is the new mega-prison in Costa Rica?
It is a new $32 million high-security prison called the Centro de Alta Contención del Crimen Organizado (CACCO). It is being built to house over 5,000 of the country’s most dangerous inmates and organized crime leaders.
Why is Costa Rica building a new prison?
The government is building the prison to combat a severe spike in gang-related violence and homicides. The goal is to isolate criminal leaders who are reportedly running their operations from inside existing, overcrowded prisons.
Where will the new Costa Rican prison be located?
The new facility will be built on the grounds of the La Reforma prison complex in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
How much will the new prison cost?
The contract was awarded for nearly ¢17 billion, which is approximately $32 million USD.
Who is building the new prison in Costa Rica?
The contract was awarded to a Costa Rican construction firm named Edificadora Centroamericana Rapiparedes S.A., also known as Edificar.
Is Costa Rica’s new prison based on El Salvador’s?
Yes, government officials have stated that the project is inspired by El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). El Salvador reportedly shared designs and technical advice for the project.
When will the new mega-prison be finished?
The construction firm has been given a very tight deadline of 315 days to complete the project, with an expected completion date in 2026.
What is the current crime situation in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has been experiencing a significant and record-breaking increase in homicides and violent crime in recent years, largely attributed to conflicts between organized crime and drug trafficking gangs.
Who is the President of Costa Rica?
The current president is Rodrigo Chaves, who took office in May 2022. He has made a hardline stance on crime a central part of his administration.
Why did Costa Rica use an emergency process for the contract?
The government used a special emergency procurement process to expedite the project, bypassing standard, slower bidding procedures to address the urgent security crisis.
