Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) has defended his controversial visit to El Salvador to meet with deported migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, calling it a humanitarian effort amidst what he describes as a “clear case of illegal abduction.” His remarks came during a Friday press conference following mounting backlash from both Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and President Donald Trump.
Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador earlier this week to meet Abrego Garcia, who was deported from the United States and accused of MS-13 affiliation—allegations which his supporters vehemently deny. The Senator’s visit, as reported by GNB Now, noting that Van Hollen aimed to assess Garcia’s well-being amid concerns about detention conditions and due process violations.
Bukele Mocks Visit, Trump Amplifies MS-13 Allegations
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele ridiculed the meeting in a social media post, mocking the senator and the accused gang member:
“Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the ‘death camps’ & ‘torture’, now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador,” Bukele wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
President Donald Trump escalated the political firestorm Friday afternoon by posting on Truth Social a photo of himself holding an image showing what he claims is Abrego Garcia’s left hand tattooed with “MS-13” across the knuckles.
“This is the hand of the man that the Democrats feel should be brought back to the United States, because he is such ‘a fine and innocent person’,” Trump wrote. “I must be allowed to do my job. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
However, critics point out that earlier government reports listed different tattoos—including a marijuana leaf, a smiley face, a cross, and a skull—raising questions about the authenticity of the image Trump posted.
Margarita Photo Controversy
Adding to the political spectacle was a viral photo showing Van Hollen and Abrego Garcia seated at a table with margarita glasses, which critics used to portray the encounter as a casual beachside rendezvous. Van Hollen strongly pushed back, alleging that the Salvadoran government staged the photo to undermine his mission.
“The El Salvador government planted those margaritas in front of us,” Van Hollen told reporters. “A Salvadoran official passed the drinks to make it seem like Kilmar was living in luxury rather than fearing for his life in a gang prison.” His full statement is available here.
Diplomatic Tensions Rise
The diplomatic tension has been compounded by reports that the U.S. government is paying El Salvador $6 million to detain Abrego Garcia and more than 250 other men deported from the United States. Despite Van Hollen’s appeal, President Bukele has refused to release Abrego Garcia, and President Trump has asserted that the decision is entirely up to the Salvadoran government.
The situation continues to escalate as U.S. lawmakers debate the legality of the deportations, the conditions of detainment, and the administration’s cooperation with foreign governments.
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