In the heart of El Salvador, a gigantic structure rises with high walls, covered with electric wires and protected by 19 surveillance tower: Cecot. This center, known as the world’s largest prison, is not only a prison; It is also a symbol of a country’s relentless war against organized crime gangs.
This concrete castle, where the notorious criminals are gathered together, “Impossible to escape” designed as a place. However Cecotwhile gathering praise for his security, he is the focus of discussions on a global scale with allegations of human rights violations.
One of the largest prisons in the world
Anti -Terrorism Center (Spanish abbreviation Cecot,), El SalvadorLatin America is one of the largest prisons in the world, with a capacity of 40,000 people in the city of Tecolia. The facility, which was built by the El Salvador government during the Grand Gang operations in 2022, was opened in January 2023. CECOT, who accepted his first prisoners in February 2023, was home to more than 14,000 prisoners as of June 2024.
The prison is on the agenda of the international media not only with its size, but also with its security protocols and controversial management approach. On the one hand “The turning point in the fight against gangs” On the other hand, it is criticized for allegations of human rights violations.
A country in the shadow of gang violence
El Salvador, for decades MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) and Barrio 18 He struggles with the violence created by big gangs. The origin of these groups is based on the Middle American immigrant communities in the United States in the 1980s. In the 1990s, the gang members returned to El Salvador with the deportation policies of the US, rapidly organized in the country and expanded their control areas.
The fact that only the MS-13 reached twice the size of his rival Barrio 18, dragged the country into the grip of violence. Murder, drug trafficking, blackmail and extortion, such as these two gangs playing, while Mao Mao Mao, Miranda Loca and La Maquina, such as other groups made the painting more complex.
On March 26, 2022, the died of 62 people in a day in a day, President Nayib Bukele pushed the administration to declare a state of emergency. In this process, constitutional rights were suspended, collective detention and Nearly 60 thousand people were arrested in a year.
Mega Prison Construction
When the capacity of existing prisons was insufficient due to increasing arrests, the government announced that a giant prison will be built in July 2022. Approximately Cecot costing $ 100 millionWas built on a land of 410 acres. Facility; It has a completely isolated structure with independent electricity, water and security systems.
In prison, which consists of eight main blocks, it is constantly being supervised by thousands of prisoners. The number of beds in the cells is limited and the habitat per capita is only around 0.6 square meters. The prisoners have to wear white uniforms and cut their hair at regular intervals. The meals are only eaten by hand without a fork knife.
In addition, the bond with the outside world is completely detached: phone, visitor or internet access is strictly prohibited.
Security measures and military order
Cecot stands out with military discipline security protocols. Facility; It is surrounded with a 15,000 -volt electric fence, 19 surveillance towers and hundreds of cameras. 1000 guards, 600 soldiers and 250 policemen It ensures the safety of the prison.
While providing special rest rooms, sports fields and social opportunities for guards; In Bukele’s words, “No more gangs in prisons, but security forces live in comfort.”
National and international reactions
Bukele management, CECOT’u “a historical success in the fight against gangs” is introduced. Thanks to the prison, the government argues that El Salvador has become one of the safest countries of the Americas ”.
However, the criticism is not less. The Human Rights Monitoring Organization reported the allegations of violating arbitrary arrests, ill -treatment and right to a fair trial. International Amnesty International said that CECOT did not eliminate the root causes of violence, but only strengthens the “mass imprisonment policy”.
Despite this, 96 %of the people in the surveys in the country say that they support the construction of the prison.
Regional Impact and Future Plans
Cecot affected not only El Salvador, but also all Latin America’s security policies. Countries such as Honduras, Ecuador and Guatemala announced their plans to build similar mega prisons inspired by Bukle’s strategy.
In 2025, President Bukele offered to host American convicts in CECOT for a fee ”. This initiative shows that the prison model can be moved not only to regional, but to an international dimension.
While Cecot is praised as a radical step towards restraining the gang severity on the one hand, on the other hand, the focus of human rights violations discussions. El Salvador’s “Mega Prison” experience is a worldwide laboratory on the effectiveness and limits of harsh methods in the fight against crime.
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