Story perspectives
El Salvador's Bukele Plans Controversial $35M Costa Rican Prison
1/17/2026
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Story summary
- On January 16, 2026, Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, initiated construction of a prison in Costa Rica inspired by the CECOT mega-jail.
- Rights groups have criticized the CECOT facility for alleged human rights abuses.
- The Costa Rican government announced the new prison will cost $35 million and hold 5,000 inmates.
