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3 clusters · 51 sources · 25 days · First seen 29 days ago · Last updated 5 days ago

Central American and regional organized crime prison trends

Overview

Security cooperation and prison infrastructure developments in Central America and Ecuador have increasingly focused on combating organized crime through high-security confinement models.

In September 2026, the United States and El Salvador implemented a security agreement involving the transfer of individuals linked to serious crimes to El Salvador’s Centro de Confinamento del Terrorismo (CECOT). Following this, Costa Rica inaugurated the High-Containment Center Against Organized Crime (CACCO) in October 2026, a $35 million facility modeled after CECOT. While supporters view the facility as a security turning point, judicial authorities and human rights advocates have raised concerns regarding democratic checks and balances.

In Honduras, the National Congress has authorized the management of funds to construct a maximum-security megaprison in the Naco sector, inspired by El Salvador’s CECOT. The project aims to house up to 10,000 inmates using over 70 manzanas of state land and existing infrastructure valued at approximately 300 to 400 million lempiras. While proponents argue the facility is necessary to isolate high-risk criminal leaders, the National Anticorruption Council and other critics warn that replicating the Salvadoran model could potentially undermine the rule of law and constitutional guarantees. Funding for the facility may involve national resources, international loans, or bonds.

In Ecuador, the Servicio Nacional de Atención Integral a Personas Adultas Privadas de la Libertad (SNAI) has launched a National Classification Plan to disrupt gang influence. This initiative involves redistributing 9,214 prisoners across six facilities in the provinces of Cotopaxi, Azuay, Tungurahua, and Chimborazo. By categorizing inmates into four security levels—minimum, medium, maximum, and special maximum—the reorganization seeks to break criminal command structures through coordinated efforts with the National Police and the Armed Forces.

Entities

El Salvador · Nayib Bukele · Laura Fernández · Tomás Zambrano · Julio César Landrón

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] The CACCO facility has a total capacity for 5,100 inmates. www.laverdadpa.com · confidencialhn.com · contrapunto.com · srnnews.com · delfino.cr · +3 more
[● 6 SOURCES] President Laura Fernández stated that the new prison will make Costa Rica a global benchmark for prison security. www.laverdadpa.com · confidencialhn.com · contrapunto.com · srnnews.com · elmundo.cr · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The new prison model is inspired by the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (Cecot) in El Salvador. www.laverdadpa.com · confidencialhn.com · contrapunto.com · srnnews.com · www.excelsior.com.mx · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Honduras plans to build a maximum-security megaprison in the Naco sector with a capacity for 10,000 inmates. colonaldia.hn · hch.tv · www.tunota.com · centroamerica360.com · hondurasalinstante.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Ecuador has launched a national plan to classify 9,214 inmates across six prisons into four security levels: minimum, medium, maximum, and maximum special. aldiaonline.net · guik.pe · www.elcomercio.com · www.prensa-latina.cu · eluniverso.com
[● 5 SOURCES] The inmate classification aims to weaken the influence and command structures of organized crime groups within prisons. aldiaonline.net · guik.pe · www.elcomercio.com · www.prensa-latina.cu · eluniverso.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The High-Containment Center Against Organized Crime (CACCO) required an investment of 35 million dollars. www.laverdadpa.com · confidencialhn.com · contrapunto.com · srnnews.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The CACCO facility is located near the La Reforma maximum-security prison, approximately 25 kilometers from San José. www.laverdadpa.com · srnnews.com · confidencialhn.com · www.excelsior.com.mx
[● 4 SOURCES] Ecuador's SNAI has initiated a plan to redistribute 9,214 inmates across six prisons based on security levels. aldiaonline.net · guik.pe · www.elcomercio.com · www.prensa-latina.cu
[● 3 SOURCES] The inauguration of the CACCO was criticized by some for its potential impact on human rights. impactonoticiascr.com · delfino.cr · www.excelsior.com.mx

Timeline

5 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 27 sources
Honduras and Ecuador implement new prison security and classification models
Honduras plans a 10,000-capacity megaprison inspired by El Salvador's CECOT, while Ecuador begins reclassifying over 9,000 inmates into four security levels to combat organized crime.
11 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 19 sources
Costa Rica inaugurates CACCO maximum-security prison
Costa Rica has opened the CACCO, a 35-million-dollar maximum-security prison for organized crime. Modeled after El Salvador's CECOT, it holds 5,100 inmates to combat rising national violence.
29 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 9 sources
United States transfers criminals to El Salvador's CECOT prison
Donald Trump highlighted a security agreement with El Salvador to transfer individuals linked to serious crimes to the CECOT maximum-security prison to combat transnational organized crime.

Sources

ahoranoticiasrd.com · aldiaonline.net · am.com.mx · canal4.com.ni · canal6hn.com · centroamerica360.com · colmundoradio.com.co · colonaldia.hn · confidencialhn.com · contextohn.com · contrapunto.com · courrierinternational.com · croniosv.com · delfino.cr · diarioparaguayo.com · diarioroatan.com · elcomercio.com.ec · eldiariodehoy.com · eldiarionica.com · elefanteblanco.mx · elmundo.cr · elmundo.hn · elproselitista.hn · elsalvadorinenglish.com · eluniverso.com · elveedordigital.com · eveeno.com · excelsior.com.mx · extradigital.hn · guik.pe · hch.tv · hondudiario.com · hondurasalinstante.com · hondurasensusmanos.info · hoy.com.do · icndigital.com · impactonoticiascr.com · ladiscusion.cl · lahora.gt · lanoticiasv.com · laverdadpa.com · mpps.gob.ve · noticias24hrs.com.ve · panamaamerica.com.pa · paradigma.hn · parismatch.com · prensa-latina.cu · primicia.com.ve

This summary has been updated 7 times: see revision history