Costa Rica's Mega-Prison Sparks Debate as Crime Surges Before Election
Costa Rica, once renowned for its peaceful democracy and lack of a standing army, is now grappling with escalating crime and political shifts. In January 2025, the government initiated construction on a massive new prison, modeled after El Salvador's controversial CECOT facility. This move comes as the country confronts record violence and economic concerns ahead of a pivotal presidential election.
The decision reflects growing anxieties over crime, with drug trafficking and gang activity pushing homicides to alarming levels. Meanwhile, voters are looking to 39-year-old former planning minister Laura Fernández, who leads polls by a wide margin as the race nears its first round.
Violence in Costa Rica has surged in recent years, with 905 homicides recorded in 2023—one of the highest totals in decades. Authorities attribute much of the bloodshed to drug cartels, as the US Treasury has labeled the country a 'key global cocaine transshipment point'. Despite an economic rebound in 2024 and early 2025, many citizens report feeling no improvement in their daily lives.
In response, President Rodrigo Chaves' administration has adopted a tougher stance on crime, drawing inspiration from El Salvador's hardline policies. The January 2025 groundbreaking of a 2,000-inmate mega-prison—similar to El Salvador's CECOT—sparked immediate backlash. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and the UN, warned of potential abuses, comparing it to the mass detentions seen under Nayib Bukele's government.
International reactions have since shifted. By mid-2025, the US voiced support for Costa Rica's anti-gang efforts, citing concerns over migration flows. The EU, however, condemned the prison project in October 2025, pointing to due process violations. Yet no major sanctions have followed, leaving the government's approach uncontested on the global stage.
Against this backdrop, Laura Fernández has emerged as the frontrunner in the presidential race. A former Minister of National Planning, the 39-year-old leads surveys with no clear rival in second place. Voters, weary of crime and stagnant living standards, appear ready for change—but the path forward remains uncertain.
Security dominates public concerns, overshadowing even economic worries. Many Costa Ricans, proud of their nation's history as a beacon of stability, now question whether tougher measures will restore safety—or further erode democratic norms.
The mega-prison project moves ahead, despite ongoing criticism from rights groups and divided international responses. With Fernández poised to win the presidency, the country's next leader will inherit both a crime crisis and deep public frustration over quality of life. How she balances security demands with democratic principles may define Costa Rica's future direction.
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