Costa Rica’s President Fernández tours El Salvador’s CECOT megaprison
Costa Rican President Laura Fernández visited El Salvador’s maximum-security Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) on Friday, two days after inaugurating a prison in her country inspired by President Nayib Bukele’s security model.
Footage showed Fernández touring the facility in Tecoluca alongside her husband, Jeffrey Umaña. She was received by Security Minister Gustavo Villatoro and Defence Minister René Merino Monroy before attending a closed-door meeting.
During the visit, Fernández inspected the prison’s armoury and one of its detention pavilions, observing inmates in their cells, undergoing medical examinations and participating in physical activities.
The visit followed Wednesday’s inauguration of Costa Rica’s High-Containment Centre against Organised Crime (CACCO) in San Rafael de Alajuela.
Built with Salvadoran assistance under a project initiated during former President Rodrigo Chaves’ administration, the $35 million facility can accommodate up to 5,100 inmates.
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The new prison is intended to strengthen Costa Rica’s response to organised crime and rising violence linked to drug trafficking.
Fernández is also scheduled to meet President Bukele to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional security issues.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
