Colombia Plans Maximum-Security Mega-Prisons as Part of National Crime Crackdown

Colombia plans to build maximum-security mega-prisons as authorities seek tougher responses to rising crime and organized criminal activity. The proposed facilities are expected to accommodate large numbers of inmates, improve security, and separate high-risk prisoners from the broader prison population. Officials say the initiative could help disrupt criminal networks operating behind bars while easing pressure on overcrowded institutions. Critics may question the cost, construction timeline, and potential human-rights implications. The plan reflects President Gustavo Petro’s government’s escalating focus on public security.