Amid rising international attention, the government of El Salvador confirmed that Kilmar Ábrego García, a man deported from the United States and accused of gang affiliation, will remain in custody in the country.
The decision follows a controversial visit by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen to El Salvador, where he expressed support for Ábrego despite U.S. court rulings linking him to the MS13 gang and a restraining order filed by his wife. While U.S. media outlets have attempted to contact Ábrego’s spouse, she has declined to comment on the reasons behind the protective orders against him.
President Donald Trump criticized Van Hollen’s actions on Truth Social, calling him “a fool standing in El Salvador begging for the attention of the fake news media, or anyone. GRANDSTANDER!”
Echoing Trump’s stance, U.S. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller accused the Democratic Party of undermining national security. “We have one party defending Americans… and another defending illegals, wife beaters, and even terrorists. He is illegal and belongs to a terrorist organization,” Miller said.
Miller also confirmed that the White House has no intention of requesting Ábrego’s return to the U.S., maintaining its stance of deporting criminal gang members to their countries of origin, including members of the MS13 and Tren de Aragua.
President Nayib Bukele addressed the situation directly, stating that El Salvador will respect U.S. sovereignty and that Ábrego will not be released or returned. “Now that his health has been confirmed, he has the honor of remaining under El Salvador’s custody,” Bukele posted on X, referring to the meeting between Van Hollen and Ábrego.
Despite calls for intervention, Salvadoran authorities remain firm in their decision to detain Ábrego, reaffirming their collaboration with U.S. immigration enforcement while upholding their own judicial processes.