On social media, many viewers stunned after El Salvador president shares scathing images of wrongfully deported father in ‘world’s worst prison’ .
El Salvador president shares scathing images of wrongfully deported father in ‘world’s worst prison’.
El Salvador’s president posts staged photos of a Maryland man wrongly deported, prompting outrage and political fallout over the incident.
A maryland father was mistakenly deported to El Salvador’s Notorious CECOT prison
Kilmar Armando Ábrego García, a father from Maryland, was mistakenly deported to the Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT) in El Salvador last month.
The prison is infamous for housing alleged gang members and is often called the “world’s worst prison” due to its inhumane conditions.
The deportation occurred under an administrative error, according to officials in the Trump administration.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling to “facilitate” his return, Ábrego García remained in custody in El Salvador for weeks.
The case sparked national attention and bipartisan concern as legal experts demanded immediate action for the father’s release and safe return.
Senator Chris Van Hollen met with Kilmar García
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to meet with García.
However, he was nitially denied access by local authorities.
Eventually, Van Hollen met with García at a hotel in San Salvador, according to The Independent.
Then he shared a photo of their discussion on social media.
The image showed the two seated at a modest table with water and mugs.
Additionally, The senator assured he’d relay García’s message to his family.
Van Hollen’s caption reads: “I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.”
The moment appeared to be a breakthrough in what had become a tense international dispute involving legal rights and diplomatic ethics.
While, Bukele reshared his post adding: “Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody.”
President Bukele Posted Staged Photos of the Meeting to Mock U.S. Concerns Over García’s Detainment
Bukele posts staged photos mocking U.S. concerns over García’s detainment
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele shared altered photos of the same meeting, but with bright filters and staged cocktail glasses.
He captioned the post mockingly, writing: “Kilmar García, miraculously risen from the ‘death camps,’ now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in paradise!”
A source told The New York Times the drinks were props, placed by a Bukele aide for dramatic effect and political messaging.
Additionally, Bukele followed up, saying: “Now that he’s confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody.”
The move was widely criticized for trivializing the seriousness of the wrongful deportation and for manipulating international perceptions.
White House and Trump Officials blast democrats over Human Rights Advocacy
White House spokesperson Kush Desai denounced Van Hollen’s visit.
He called it “disgusting” and a disgrace to American values.
“It is truly disgusting. President Trump will continue to stand on the side of law-abiding Americans,” he added.
Additionally, he claimed the Democratic Party prioritized “the welfare of an illegal alien MS-13 terrorist” over law-abiding citizens.
While, President Trump declined responsibility, stating: “I’m not involved. You’ll have to speak to the lawyers, the D.O.J.” when asked about García’s release.