Costa Rica opens Bukele-inspired high-security jail

Costa Rica opened a high-security prison in San Rafael de Alajuela on Wednesday, presenting it as part of President Laura Fernandez's plan to crack down on organized crime.

The High Security Center against Organized Crime is due to receive its first prisoners this month and is eventually expected to house 5,100 inmates. Prisoners will wear orange jumpsuits, face strict visitation rules and have one hour outdoors each day.

Fernandez, who took office in May, said at the inauguration that her government would “take a hard line” on crime. She thanked El Salvador and President Nayib Bukele for support in making the project happen.

Fernandez has cited Bukele as an example for reducing crime. El Salvador has arrested more than 90,000 suspected gang members since Bukele declared a state of emergency in 2022, and human rights groups have criticised the crackdown. Salvadoran NGO Socorro Juridico says more than 500 detainees have died in custody.

Fernandez is due to visit El Salvador on Friday to see the Center for Terrorism Confinement, where NGOs have alleged human rights violations including torture and sexual violence.