El Salvador President Responds to U.S. Senator’s Criticism
On Saturday, El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, shared a brief seven-word retort to a lengthy post by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, who criticized the Trump administration for its actions regarding Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
In a 204-word statement posted on X, Senator Van Hollen accused the U.S. regime of swiftly ousting President Maduro, labeling the maneuver as an “act of war,” despite no U.S. casualties were reported. Bukele, a supporter of former President Trump and known for his strong stance against crime, countered Van Hollen’s remarks by stating, “You just want to defend thugs.”
Van Hollen previously gained attention in spring 2025 for advocating for Kilmer Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran with ties to the MS-13 gang who was deported by the Trump administration while living in Maryland.
“The American people did not request this act of war for regime change in Venezuela, nor did Congress authorize it,” he argued. “President Trump is endangering our troops without providing a clear justification or strategy for what comes next.”
So you just want to protect the thugs. https://t.co/WptuahoZ09
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibukele) January 3, 2026
“This act of war is a serious misuse of power by the president. The Trump administration seems to be repeating its previous mistakes, jeopardizing American lives, while their motives are questionable,” Van Hollen continued. He also claimed he had “taken control” of Maduro, omitting the fact that Trump had alliances with multiple adversaries and was viewed as an illegitimate leader by the U.S. government.
While acknowledging Maduro’s dictatorship, Van Hollen insisted that the regime did not present an immediate threat justifying U.S. military action without Congressional approval. He suggested that Trump’s actions were aimed at securing Venezuelan oil for wealthy affiliates.
Interestingly, Van Hollen’s statement did not address Maduro’s alleged drug trafficking activities or associations with organizations identified as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) by the United States. A recent indictment unsealed on Saturday accused Maduro of collaborating with drug traffickers, claiming processed cocaine was shipped from Venezuela to the U.S.
Bukele’s succinct dismissal of Van Hollen’s comments gained significant traction, earning 66,000 likes on X, while the senator’s lengthy remarks, up for a few hours longer, gained only 18,000 likes.
Earlier in April 2025, Van Hollen had traveled to El Salvador to engage with Abrego Garcia in hopes of facilitating his return to the U.S., a mission that ultimately failed.
Bukele criticized the stance of Van Hollen and other Democrats who insisted Abrego-Garcia should be allowed back into the U.S., calling the notion “ridiculous.”
