El Salvador’s security strategy under President Nayib Bukele is contributing to regional cooperation following the inauguration of Costa Rica’s High-Containment Center against Organized Crime (CACCO), a facility inspired by the Salvadoran Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).
Salvadoran Minister of Defense René Francis Merino Monroy highlighted the development, noting that his country’s experience in combating organized crime is extending beyond its borders and supporting security initiatives across Central America.
According to Merino Monroy, El Salvador’s security model combines territorial control, operations against criminal networks, stronger prison infrastructure, and efforts to rebuild the social fabric. He described Costa Rica’s new facility as an example of cooperation aimed at strengthening institutional capacity to confront criminal organizations.
The inauguration underscores growing security collaboration between El Salvador and Costa Rica, as both countries seek to address organized crime and improve public safety.
The exchange of experience and security infrastructure expertise reflects the importance of regional partnerships in tackling criminal networks and advancing security efforts throughout Central America.