A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation arrived in El Salvador this week to strengthen ties under the Congressional El Salvador Caucus, a group co-chaired by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Rep. Vicente González (D-TX). The delegation included:
- Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL): Founder of the caucus (July 2024).
- Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN).
- Alex Bruesewitz: Advisor to former President Donald Trump.
The prearranged visit aimed to:
- Assess El Salvador’s security reforms under President Nayib Bukele’s Territorial Control Plan (PCT).
- Promote bipartisan collaboration on migration, economy, and anti-gang strategies.
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Key Activities
- Meeting with President Bukele: Focused on outcomes of the PCT, including reduced homicides and economic revival. Rep. Luna stated:
“Together we are stronger. Grateful for President Bukele’s brave leadership.” - Cecot Tour: Observed the Terrorism Confinement Center, housing U.S.-deported gang members.
- Surf City Visit: Highlighted tourism investments enabled by improved security.
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“Six years ago, I could never have dreamed that members of the U.S. House and Senate would come to our country to learn about it, defend it, promote it, and help us with the challenges we face.”
Alexandra Hill Tinoco, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of El Salvador
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Matt Gaetz’s Role
Matt Gaetz has played a key role, as in July 2024 he founded the El Salvador Caucus, which was joined by several members of Congress from both the Republican and Democratic parties, although the majority were Republicans. The caucus aimed to strengthen and support relations with El Salvador—ties that had deteriorated during Joe Biden’s administration.
It’s worth recalling that under Biden, the U.S. government, through USAID, funded so-called “paid pen” journalists, NGOs, and various groups united in their opposition to the Salvadoran government led by President Nayib Bukele.
That USAID funding even supported protests organized by these groups against different policies promoted by Bukele’s administration. One of the caucus’s core goals, as initiated by Matt Gaetz, was to rebuild and deepen the relationship between the United States and El Salvador.
During this visit to El Salvador by Matt Gaetz (former Republican congressman), he not only interviewed the Vice President of the Republic, Félix Ulloa, but the congressional delegation also toured the CECOT (the mega prison for terrorists – it’s important to note that in El Salvador, by law, any gang member is automatically considered a terrorist simply by virtue of belonging to a gang or similar organization).
The visit specifically highlighted members of the Tren de Aragua who had been deported from the United States.
Contrast with Unplanned Democratic Visit
The trip starkly differed from a recent unannounced visit by Democratic lawmakers, who:
- Arrived without coordination.
- Requested meetings with Bukele or deported criminals.
- Were denied access, reflecting Bukele’s preference for structured diplomacy.
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