Costa Rica to inaugurate CACCO maximum-security prison

Costa Rican President Laura Fernández has announced the inauguration of the Centro de Alta Contención contra el Crimen Organizado (CACCO), a new maximum-security prison, for October 14, 2026. Located within the La Reforma penitentiary complex in San Rafael, Alajuela, the facility is designed to house approximately 5,100 inmates, specifically targeting those linked to organized crime and high-risk criminal networks.

The $35 million project was inspired by the penitentiary model used in El Salvador, specifically the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT). The facility will consist of five containment modules and features strict security measures, including the use of specialized orange uniforms designed to prevent the concealment of contraband.

The inauguration comes as part of a broader government strategy to combat rising insecurity and organized crime. While the project has faced some criticism regarding its scale and nomenclature, President Fernández defended the facility as a necessary response to public demand for a tougher stance against impunity and criminal violence.