US Senator’s Visit to El Salvador Prison Sparks Controversy
A visit by US Senator Chris Van Hollen to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador has sparked controversy, with the White House condemning the trip as "disgusting". According to a report by the BBC, Van Hollen visited the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (Cecot) in El Salvador, where he met with a detained individual, Mr Ábrego García, who had been living in Maryland before being deported.
The White House reacted strongly to the visit, with spokesman Kush Desai stating that Van Hollen had "firmly established Democrats as the party whose top priority is the welfare of an illegal alien MS-13 terrorist". Desai added that "President Trump will continue to stand on the side of law-abiding Americans". The senator’s office has not commented on the White House’s reaction.
Mr Ábrego García’s lawyers have denied that he has any gang affiliation, and maintain that he has never been charged with, nor convicted of any crime. According to the BBC, Van Hollen arrived in El Salvador on Wednesday hoping to secure the release of Mr Ábrego García, who had been detained at Cecot. The senator did not offer an update on Mr Ábrego García’s status in his social media posts, but said more information would be released upon his return to the US.
The visit by Van Hollen was sparked by concerns about Mr Ábrego García’s detention. His wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, celebrated the news of the visit, saying her "prayers have been answered". She added that her "family and community in fighting for justice are being heard, because I now know that my husband is alive". However, she also stated that her family still has many questions and will continue fighting for his release.
During his trip, Van Hollen met with El Salvador’s vice-president and asked that they open the doors so Mr Ábrego García could leave the prison, a request he says was rejected. The senator’s office has not provided further details on the meeting. El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, reposted photos of Van Hollen meeting Mr Ábrego García on social media, and appeared to poke fun at speculation that the inmate had died in custody.
According to the BBC, Mr Ábrego García was living in Maryland before he was deported on 15 March with scores of Salvadorans and Venezuelans to Cecot in El Salvador. A US judge had granted him legal protection from deportation in 2019, but he was still removed from the country. Maryland Judge Paula Xinis ruled that Mr Ábrego García’s removal from the country breached the 2019 court order.
The case has sparked controversy, with human rights groups and lawyers expressing concerns about the detention of Mr Ábrego García and others. The BBC reports that Cecot has been criticized for its harsh conditions and allegations of human rights abuses. As the story continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the US and El Salvador will resolve the issue of Mr Ábrego García’s detention.
The controversy surrounding Van Hollen’s visit highlights the complexities of US-El Salvador relations, particularly on issues of immigration and human rights. As reported by the BBC, the US has provided significant funding to El Salvador to support its efforts to address gang violence and improve security. However, the case of Mr Ábrego García raises questions about the US government’s priorities and its role in promoting human rights in the region.
This is a developing story, and the BBC will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. The senator’s office has stated that more information will be released upon his return to the US, and it is likely that this story will continue to unfold in the coming days.
Source: BBC
