The Prison Built for Monsters
El Salvador transformed from the world's crime capital to one of its safest countries. Step inside CECOT, a maximum-security fortress where 64,000 of the world's most dangerous gang members are locked away forever.
They walked into the gangs and locked them all up.
Two gangs that had been terrorizing everyone for decades.
Now they are all in one place.
The President of El Salvador changed the entire country.
From the world's crime capital to one of the safest nations today.
All because of one president.
This is Nayib Bukele.
He is of Arab descent, of Palestinian origin.
His ancestors migrated to El Salvador in the early 19th century.
His father was known as the Imam of El Salvador.
Since taking office in 2019, he has transformed the country.
In March 2022, a state of emergency was declared.
64,000 criminals were arrested.
A new prison was built specifically for gang members.
It is called CECOT Prison.
We drove for an hour from the city to reach CECOT.
One of the most heavily guarded prisons in the world.
Look at the level of security here.
It is known as the prison for gangsters and terrorists.
Once you pass through these gates, you never come out.
The security measures are so tight it feels like an airport.
Strict screening before we can even enter.
Look at all this advanced equipment.
There is a special inspection room where they check everything.
Clothing, socks, everything must be lightweight.
How many rooms must we go through before reaching the prisoners?
CECOT consists of eight massive cell blocks.
Each capable of holding thousands of inmates.
This is not just a prison. It is a security fortress.
The facility spans the size of eight football fields.
40,000 inmate capacity.
Inside are some of the most dangerous criminals in the world.
Two of the largest gangs in Latin America are imprisoned here.
Barrio 18 and MS-13.
The prison is surrounded by massive 15-meter-high concrete walls.
Reinforced with barbed wire and 19 watchtowers.
Escaping from here is impossible.
The security is extreme.
600 soldiers and 250 police officers guard this place.
El Salvador declared war on gangs.
They declared war on terrorism to make the country safer.
Look at all these weapons.
They will go to great lengths for this.
Special leg cuffs bind both hands and feet together.
When prisoners are cuffed with these, they walk uncomfortably.
All this equipment serves one purpose: protecting citizens.
Public safety is the priority.
As for the prison guards, they have certain privileges here.
The prisoners cannot leave their cells.
This is what makes a country safe.