Decode: The world’s highest security prison: CECOT (The most evil people are imprisoned here) – video 88.3 million views

Inside CECOT: The World’s Highest Security Prison and Its Role in El Salvador’s Fight Against Crime

El Salvador, a small Central American country with a population of just over six million, is home to the largest and most secure prison in the world—CECOT (Center for the Confinement of Terrorism). Built in 2022 under President Nayib Bukele’s administration, this massive facility was designed to house up to 40,000 of the most dangerous criminals, including members of notorious gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18. These individuals, often described as “psychopaths” and “sociopaths,” are responsible for unspeakable crimes, including hundreds of murders.

CECOT is not just a prison; it is a fortress meant to erase the very idea of escape. For those who enter, it is a one-way ticket—they will never leave alive. This prison is the centerpiece of El Salvador’s controversial crackdown on gang violence, a policy that has brought peace to the country but raised questions about human rights and justice.

A Nation’s War Against Gangs

El Salvador has long been plagued by gang violence. At its peak, the country had one of the highest murder rates in the world, with 104 out of every 100,000 people losing their lives in a single year. Gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18 controlled neighborhoods, extorted citizens, and left a trail of devastation. Previous administrations attempted truces with these groups, but these efforts failed to bring lasting peace.

In March 2022, President Nayib Bukele launched an unprecedented crackdown on crime. Over 70,000 individuals, approximately 2% of the country’s adult population, were arrested within just 16 months. Many of these arrests were carried out in tightly coordinated operations, with buses transporting thousands of chained gang members to CECOT under heavy armed guard. The prisoners, heads bowed and silent, offered no resistance as their lives changed forever.

Inside CECOT: A Fortress of Despair

CECOT spans 410 acres and is made up of eight separate modules, each enclosed by towering walls and razor wire. The facility is surrounded by 19 watchtowers, a 9-meter-high perimeter wall, and a 3-meter-high electric fence carrying 15,000 volts. Security measures include signal jammers that block all communication within a 2-kilometer radius, ensuring complete isolation from the outside world.

Upon arrival, prisoners undergo rigorous security checks, including high-capacity X-ray scanners that reveal internal organs to prevent smuggling of contraband. Guards wear masks to protect their identities, as gang members still have connections outside the prison.

Once inside, inmates lose all contact with loved ones. Family visits are strictly forbidden, and prisoners are denied even the basic dignity of sunlight or ventilation. Each cell holds up to 150 inmates, offering just 0.5 square meters of personal space per person. The living conditions are harsh: inmates sleep on metal bunks without mattresses, share two toilets per cell, and rely on a single blue barrel for drinking water.

Meals consist of beans, rice, and tortillas, served three times a day. The lack of protein and variety in their diet often leads to nutritional deficiencies. For those who break prison rules, the punishment is even more severe—isolation cells with no light, no contact, and no access to books or distractions. These cells are designed to break even the toughest criminals.

The Faces of Crime: Interviews with Inmates

Among the inmates is Marvin Ernesto Metano Vásquez, known as “Psycho.” With a criminal history spanning 34 years, Psycho joined MS-13 at the age of 11 and rose to become one of its high-ranking members. In an interview, he revealed the tragic circumstances that led him to gang life: a poor upbringing, absent parents, and a search for belonging. He admitted to taking more than 50 lives during his time in the gang, describing the ruthless culture that demanded members to kill—even their own relatives—to prove loyalty.

Now imprisoned for life, Psycho expressed regret for his actions and urged young people to avoid the path he took. “Listen to your mom, listen to your dad, go to school,” he said. “Don’t live the life we lived. There’s no way out.”

Controversy and Questions of Justice

While the crackdown has undeniably reduced violence, dropping the murder rate to 2.4 per 100,000 people by 2023, critics argue that the methods used are extreme. Reports suggest that innocent people were mistakenly imprisoned during mass arrests, and the strict no-contact policy leaves families in anguish, unable to confirm the fate of their loved ones.

CECOT has become a symbol of El Salvador’s zero-tolerance approach to crime, but it also raises ethical questions. Is this a true path to justice, or merely a way to control chaos? Can such harsh measures bring lasting peace, or will they lead to further unrest in the future? For now, the results are undeniable—El Salvador is safer than ever before, but the price of this safety remains a topic of global debate.

Conclusion

CECOT is a place unlike any other—a fortress designed to contain the worst of humanity. For the gang members who once terrorized El Salvador, it is now their forever home, a place where they will live out their days in isolation and despair. While the prison has brought peace to the country, it also serves as a stark reminder of the cost of justice and the complexities of fighting crime in a nation long plagued by violence.

As the world watches, El Salvador’s experiment with extreme measures continues to unfold. Will this be the solution to gang violence, or just a temporary fix? Only time will tell.

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