Costa Rica opens Bukele-style mega-prison in drug crackdown

Costa Rica inaugurated a mega-prison modeled on El Salvador's CECOT, signaling a shift toward hardline anti-drug policy in a country long seen as a peaceful outlier. The move follows regional adoption of Bukele's security blueprint, though its impact on trafficking and prison conditions remains uncertain. This marks a notable policy departure for Costa Rica, which has historically emphasized rehabilitation over punitive measures.