The mega-prison approach to fighting crime

In January, then-President-elect of Chile José Antonio Kast visited the Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) in El Salvador, arriving by helicopter to tour the facility's pavilions. Prior to the tour, Kast stated that his home country needed to "import good ideas" as part of efforts to combat crime.

The visit highlights the growing regional discourse surrounding the implementation of mega-prisons to address security challenges, drawing direct comparisons and interest from leaders in South America toward El Salvador's penal strategies.