# Costa Rica inaugurates CACCO prison and expands terroristist > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/costa-rica-cacco-prison-inauguration > Updated: 2026-10-16T23:36:25.000Z. Sources: 55. Developments: 4. On October 14, 2026, the Costa Rican government officially inaugurated the Centro de Alta Contención contra el Crimen Organizado (CACCO) in San Rafael de Alajuela. Located within the La Reforma complex, the $33 to $35 million facility has a capacity for 5,100 inmates, representing approximately 20 percent of the nation’s current prison population. The project, which was initiated during the Rodrigo Chaves administration, utilized architectural plans donated by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. President Laura Fernández Delgado stated that the facility aims to make Costa Rica a “global reference in penitentiary security” as the nation faces historic homicide rates linked to criminal group conflicts. During the inauguration, Fernández announced the expansion of the country’s terrorist organization list to include three Colombian groups and six Mexican cartels, specifically naming the Sinaloa and CJNG organizations. The project is inspired by the incarceration strategies used in El Salvador. Under this model, inmates will wear orange uniforms, face strict visitation controls, and are permitted only one hour of outdoor time per day. To further strengthen the legal framework, the Security and Narcotics Commission has approved a bill that would impose prison sentences of up to 20 years for members of organized crime groups. Following the ceremony, the use of drones over nearby residential areas sparked debate regarding privacy and property rights. While the Executive Branch stated the drones were used strictly for the security of the attending cabinet, the incident has raised questions about the legality of using state resources to monitor private property. Meanwhile, the move faces legal opposition from the NGO Asociación Ayudando a los Privados de Libertad y sus Familias, which has filed a constitutional injunction citing concerns regarding inmate health, safety, and dignity. ## Claims - The prison cost an estimated US$ 34 million. (disputed by 6 sources) - The investment for the CACCO facility is 35 million dollars. (disputed by 2 sources) - The government inaugurated the Centro de Alta Contención contra el Crimen Organizado (CACCO). (corroborated by 24 sources) - The Cacco facility has a capacity for 5,100 inmates. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The new prison model was inspired by El Salvador's prison system. (corroborated by 21 sources) - The first inmate transfers to the new facility are expected by the end of the month. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Costa Rica will become a global reference in prison security. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Inmates will have one hour of outdoor time per day and wear orange uniforms. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The inauguration marks a turning point for Costa Rican penitentiary and national security. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The Asociación Ayudando a los Privados de Libertad y sus Familias filed a constitutional injunction to suspend inmate transfers to CACCO. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-16: Costa Rica inaugurates CACCO maximum-security prison Costa Rica has inaugurated the CACCO, a 5,100-capacity maximum-security prison in Alajuela designed for organized crime leaders, amid controversy over drone surveillance near private property. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/costa-rica-inaugurates-cacco-maximum-security-prison ### 2026-10-14: Costa Rica inaugurates CACCO high-security prison and expands terrorist list Costa Rica has opened the CACCO, a 5,100-capacity high-security prison inspired by El Salvador's CECOT model, while expanding its terrorist list to include several Mexican and Colombian criminal groups. 46 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/costa-rica-inaugurates-high-security-prison-inspired-by-el-salvador-model ### 2026-10-07: Costa Rica to open high-security prison inspired by El Salvador model Costa Rica will inaugurate the CACCO maximum-security prison on October 14, a $35 million facility inspired by El Salvador’s CECOT to combat organized crime. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/costa-rica-to-open-high-security-prison-inspired-by-el-salvador-model ### 2026-10-05: Costa Rica to inaugurate CACCO maximum-security prison Costa Rica will inaugurate the CACCO maximum-security prison on October 14. The $35 million facility, inspired by El Salvador's model, can hold 5,100 inmates to combat organized crime. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/costa-rica-to-inaugurate-high-containment-prison-for-organized-crime --- Cite as: Costa Rica inaugurates CACCO prison and expands terroristist. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/costa-rica-cacco-prison-inauguration