Aiming to address rising crime rates in the Colombian capital, mayoral candidate Diego Molano has unveiled plans to construct a megaprison, drawing inspiration from the security initiatives of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. Molano’s proposal envisions a state-of-the-art facility to house high-risk criminals, employing cutting-edge correctional technology.
Diego Molano, vying for the mayoral seat in Bogotá, released a video showcasing his vision for the megaprison, which borrows key elements from El Salvador’s Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT), championed by President Nayib Bukele.
In the video shared on his social media platforms, Molano provided a glimpse of what the Bogotá megaprison could look like. He emphasized that the facility would exclusively house the most dangerous criminals, including armed robbers, cell phone and bicycle thieves, illicit drug dealers, and gang leaders. Furthermore, Molano stressed the need for stricter legislation to provide judges with the legal tools necessary to utilize this megaprison effectively.
“I present to you the megaprison that we all desire and that I will build to incarcerate the 3,000 most dangerous criminals threatening the peace of Bogotá: armed robbers, cellphone and bicycle thieves, illicit drug sellers, gangs, and their leaders. This isn’t just talk; it’s about being prepared. It will feature signal jammers to eliminate extortion from within prison walls,” detailed Molano in his statement.
Molano’s proposal has sparked a spirited debate in Bogotá, with proponents lauding it as a strong step towards curbing crime, while critics raise concerns about potential human rights implications and the effectiveness of such a facility.
As the mayoral race heats up, Diego Molano’s megaprison plan will undoubtedly remain a focal point of discussion among voters and candidates alike. The question of whether this approach, inspired by El Salvador’s President Bukele, can successfully combat crime in Bogotá remains to be seen, but it has certainly ignited a vigorous conversation about the city’s security challenges and potential solutions.