STORY: Costa Rican President Laura Fernandez visited El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) on Friday (October 16) and met with President Nayib Bukele, praising the country's prison model as Costa Rica steps up efforts to combat organised crime.

Speaking alongside Bukele, Fernandez said she wanted to learn first-hand from El Salvador's security policies and apply lessons from what she described as successful measures against crime.

After touring CECOT, Fernandez said her country's newly opened maximum-security prison, High-Containment Center Against Organized Crime, or CACCO, should house Costa Rica's most dangerous criminals, including murderers and contract killers. She added that anyone convicted of killing a police officer should be sent to the facility.

Bukele praised Fernandez's approach to security, saying Costa Ricans were fortunate to have a leader willing to confront criminal organizations despite the risks involved. He also voiced support for Costa Rica's security reforms, expressing confidence that their full implementation could help restore peace in the country.

The visit comes as Costa Rica faces rising concerns over organized crime and seeks to strengthen its security and prison systems.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR (OCTOBER 16, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. PRESIDENT OF EL SALVADOR, NAYIB BUKELE, WELCOMING PRESIDENT OF COSTA RICA, LAURA FERNANDEZ, AT CASA PRESIDENCIAL / BUKELE, FERNANDEZ AND THEIR PARTNERS POSING FOR OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS

2. NEWS CONFERENCE

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF COSTA RICA, LAURA FERNANDEZ, SAYING:

"I came to learn about that experience firsthand, with a firm commitment to learn from what has worked and to apply those lessons in our own national fight against crime. That is precisely one of the objectives of my visit: to understand how CECOT operates and to learn how El Salvador's prison model has contributed to restoring peace and security for its people."

4. FERNANDEZ GREETING SALVADORAN OFFICIALS AS SHE ARRIVES FOR TOUR AT TERRORISM CONFINEMENT CENTER (CECOT)

5. FERNANDEZ SPEAKING

6. INMATE / FERNANDEZ WALKING

7. VARIOUS OF INMATES EXERCISING AS FERNANDEZ LOOKS ON

8. FERNANDEZ TOURING CECOT

9. FERNANDEZ SEEN ON SCREEN OF PHONE

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF COSTA RICA, LAURA FERNANDEZ, SAYING:

"After visiting CECOT, I am even more convinced that our maximum-security prison, CACCO (High-Containment Center Against Organized Crime), must house the country's most dangerous criminals, including contract killers and murderers. And I reiterate it here: anyone who cowardly murders a police officer will be sent to CACCO, because the police uniform and respect for authority must be protected."

11. JOURNALISTS TAKING PICTURES AND RECORDING VIDEO

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF EL SALVADOR, NAYIB BUKELE, SAYING:

"I think Costa Ricans are very fortunate to have a woman who is so knowledgeable about this issue and who is willing to confront it, despite the risks involved. Because we must understand that taking on these terrorist organizations carries significant personal risk. But you are convinced that it is worth confronting them, and I believe that is something people should not take for granted."

13. VARIOUS OF FERNANDEZ DURING MEETING WITH OFFICIALS

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT OF EL SALVADOR, NAYIB BUKELE, SAYING:

"I wish you success in implementing all of the reforms. I believe there are still some details that need to be refined, but you have a very clear plan, and I am confident that if it is implemented in full, it will help bring peace back to Costa Rica."

15. BOTH PRESIDENTS LEAVING PRESS CONFERENCE