Sen Van Hollen en route to El Salvador right now

[Dennis Donovan]

Senator Chris Van Hollen
@ChrisVanHollen
I’m about to board my flight to El Salvador, where I hope to meet with senior government officials to discuss the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

I also hope to see Kilmar and check on his condition — and remind him that we won’t stop fighting until he’s home.
Video in tweet and in BlueSky link below
6:06 AM · Apr 16, 2025

Link to tweet

I’m about to board my flight to El Salvador, where I hope to meet with senior government officials to discuss the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

I also hope to see Kilmar and check on his condition — and remind him that we won’t stop fighting until he’s home.

— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@vanhollen.senate.gov) 2025-04-16T10:13:08.825Z

[Lovie777]

1. Safe journey................

[SheltieLover]

2. Ty, Senator!

[BoRaGard]

3. Mucha Suerte, Senator!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

4. Buen viaje!!

[orangecrush]

5. Godspeed and return safely

[johnnyfins]

6. Just for argument's sake

What if the Senator is detained in El Salvador?

[gab13by13]

8. It would be the dumbest move that Krasnov and El Salvador ever made.

[chicoescuela]

18. And tsf is known for smart moves? I agree with you

but I would not put anything past this dipshit

[quakerboy]

47. Why?

I mean, it could be dumb like breaking the Ribbentrop pact. But im curious why you think so?

[FBaggins]

32. Why would they need to?

He can’t get access to the prison (let alone an individual prisoner) without the government’s approval.

He can drive around and do photo ops all day long if he wants to… how would it benefit them to detain him?

[PortTack]

40. I don't think they will detain him, but I do wonder if they will deny him entry to the country

[gab13by13]

7. Way to go Senator

when you are done, hurry back, Democrats need people with guts to investigate the hacking at the NLRB.

[Lovie777]

9. I remember my family in San Francisco and the story about that event................

regarding Jonestown. Family members personally went to the SF airport and stopped Aunt Natlee from going on the plane.

They saved her life and she thanked them until she died of old age.

[kentuck]

13. I know that is in the back of a lot of folks' minds...

It could be a dangerous mission.

[milestogo]

22. Jonestown was in Guyana.

[Ocelot II]

38. So?

[milestogo]

43. Van Hollen is going to El Salvador.

Not sure how Jonestown is relevant here.

[Ocelot II]

44. It's relevant because a US Congressman, Leo Ryan, was ambushed and murdered

when he traveled to Guyana to investigate what was happening at Jonestown. Sen. Van Hollen is traveling to El Salvador to investigate what's going on at the prison there. The situations are not identical by any means but similar enough to be recognized and relevant.

[murielm99]

66. Thank you for the comparison.

I lost a friend at Jonestown.

[Marthe48]

10. I hope there are no more casualties

Mr. Garcia, human rights, and due process have been mowed down. I hope Senator Van Hollen and his staff survive this humanitarian journey.

[Jersey Devil]

11. But why is Van Hollen alone?

There should be a plane full of Congress members with him, including leadership.

[allegorical oracle]

20. Can't help but recall Rep. Ryan's tragic journey to the Jim Jones cult years ago. Hope

Van Hollen stays safe.

[johnnyfins]

35. First thing I thought of when I heard about this

[Magoo48]

63. This is what came to my mind as well. Will no other Senator or Rep.join him?

If not, why?

[Bengus81]

65. Republican pussies in Congress would rather see that guy drop dead

in a cell than be released to come back and hit the talk show circuit and tell the truth. Republicans in Congress will have blood on their hands if he dies in captivity.

Take all those FUCKERS out in the mid-terms.

[LoisB]

12. I hope he stays safe and has a productive trip.

[k_buddy762]

14. Godspeed!

[Emile]

15. Did Chuck Schumer go with him?

[La Urraca]

23. So sorry, Chuck ...

I laughed out loud at that !

[WinstonSmith4740]

25. No...

But I'm sure he gave Van Hollen a sternly worded letter to give them.

[wolfie001]

16. Hero Senator!!!

Vile scum president.

[JohnnyRingo]

17. This should prove interesting.

Let's hope nothing akin to Jonestown happens.
That's an extreme scenario, but these are extreme times. Instead I hope he finds what an ugly man our president really is.

[hlthe2b]

21. My first thought. There is history when a lone brave Congressional Rep or Senator try to do the right thing--

alone...

[maxsolomon]

61. Paranoid American Christian Cult Leaders aren't involved,

so it is unlikely.

[JohnnyRingo]

67. Trump would make them pay for the Kool-Ade anyway.

[hlthe2b]

19. At least HE is trying... May the Senator remain safe and gain information/evidence that will

return this man--quite obviously but one of the horrendous victims of Dictator Trump's incompetence, lies, and bigotry-driven hatred.

[azureblue]

24. the smart thing to do

Would be for Mexico to swoop in and grab Garcia. I mean, what can El Salvador do against the Mexican Army? Mexico can then offer citizenship to Garcia, and move his family there. And Trump can't do a thing about it, without shooting himself in the foot.

[MichMan]

28. The Mexican Army should invade both Guatemala and El Salvador ?

Doesn't seem all that smart to me. Isn't that a declaration or war against both countries ?

[stillcool]

29. Mexico?

why would Mexico be involved in any way at all?

[BlueMTexpat]

26. Chris Van Hollen is MY Senator!

He has been fighting the "good fight" against the Felon-in-Chief since Day One!

He has also been sending out a very informative newsletter that I have been sharing on FB verbatim whenever I receive it, as well as holding well-attended town halls with other Dems throughout the great state of MD!

It's not just those who are making noise and getting the headlines who are working hard for us all!

It is literally ALL Dems ... and many of them aren't getting the credit they deserve for what they are doing.

Our TRUE enemies are REPUBICANS!

[FakeNoose]

55. Yes! May God bless him and keep him safe

Thank you Senator Van Hollen for showing leadership and heroism.

[valleyrogue]

27. I am not happy with this.

If he makes it back alive, he better thank his lucky stars.

He is plenty old enough to remember Jonestown. Not a smart tactic, especially when he doesn't know for sure if Garcia is alive.

[Rebl2]

42. My thought

as well. I was hoping other democrats would go with him.

[dem4decades]

30. If they grab him and make him disappear, I'm afraid the US government can't do a thing about it. So I've heard.

Be safe Senator Van Holland, and come home ASAP.

Imagine how Rubio must feel if he's a friend of Van Holland, knowing what's going on. Rubio should resign but even that takes courage, something Rubio lacks.

[AnnaLee]

31. Am I the only one dreaming

I picture El Salvadore delivering Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Van Hollen's plane as he leaves the country. I know - fat chance. But imagine the landing of a plane inside the US with Garcia and Van Hollen debording together. I know - immediate arrest. But I just, for now, have this vision in my dreaming.

[wendyb-NC]

33. Ty, Sen. Van Hollen

Godspeed

[Dennis Donovan]

34. Per MSNBC, his plane just landed in El Salvador n/t

[democrank]

36. Thank you Senator Van Hollen

Courage in plain sight

[mountain grammy]

37. I fear for his life.. Hope he comes back safe

very courageous. Thank you Senator.

[kansasobama]

39. Wish him well

A few Dems are brave. Where is Gallego? What is wrong with some of the Hispanic lawmakers? Not to mention, some 40% who voted against Harris. It is a sure way for Hispanic lawmakers to lose respect if you don't stand up for ill treatment of Hispanics

[Rebl2]

41. Did he

go alone or did other senators go with him.

[Ohioboy]

45. Thank you Senator

Stay safe and don't give up. You are on the right side of history!

[WiVoter]

46. Safe Travels Senator Van Hollen

✈️ 🙏🏻❤️

[Dennis Donovan]

48. Sen Van Hollen: I just landed in San Salvador a little while ago

Senator Chris Van Hollen
@ChrisVanHollen
I just landed in San Salvador a little while ago, and I look forward to meeting with the team at the U.S. embassy to discuss the release of Mr. Abrego Garcia.

I also hope to meet with Salvadoran officials and with Kilmar himself. He was illegally abducted and needs to come home.
Video in tweet or in BlueSky link below
11:32 AM · Apr 16, 2025

Link to tweet

I just landed in San Salvador a little while ago, and I look forward to meeting with the team at the U.S. embassy to discuss the release of Mr. Abrego Garcia.

I also hope to meet with Salvadoran officials and with Kilmar himself. He was illegally abducted and needs to come home.

— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@vanhollen.senate.gov) 2025-04-16T15:32:38.378Z

[Kingofalldems]

51. How long before Trump fires the entire embassy staff?

[NJCher]

56. thanks, Dennis

this is what I wanted to know.
I hope he has a few minutes to update us as the day goes on. I will be watching this thread.

[AdamGG]

49. I'm glad he's going, but

I doubt he's going to get near the prison and no El Salvadorans will help him because they know they'll get sent straight to the gulag themselves.

[DownriverDem]

50. Please give on ActBlue

if you can. I just gave him $20.

[kimbutgar]

52. I hope he brings Kilmer back but I fear he is dead.

[maxsolomon]

58. Based on what?

Just your gut?

[kimbutgar]

60. It would be so simple to bring him back and end the story

Why are they not immediately bringing him back because of the backlash? It smells like a major coverup.

And besides would you put it past him to lie and coverup his death?

[maxsolomon]

62. You didn't answer my question.

But it sounds like you're simply speculating a worst-case scenario.

Who is "him"? President of the US or President of El Salvador? Both would likely brag about killing A-G.

[Scubamatt]

53. Thank you . . . .

for your leadership, Senator! Safe travels!

[Ars Longa]

54. Highest-Super Props to you Sen Van Hollen!!!

[chouchou]

57. My feelings are that Mr. Garcia will not be able to come back to America.

Read what you want.... I'm sad about what I think.

[maxsolomon]

59. He's going to get stonewalled.

I don't have a lot of hope for this trip.

[Magoo48]

64. Respect for courage. Thank You Senator.

[Rhiannon12866]

68. And he reported in on Rachel Maddow tonight:

Exclusive: Senator Chris Van Hollen talks with Rachel Maddow live from El Salvador - Rachel Maddow - MSNBC
https://democraticunderground.com/132146559