Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said Wednesday that his request to meet Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia was rejected by El Salvador’s vice president Félix Ulloa.

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Ulloa, Van Hollen said he was told “you need to make earlier provisions to go visit CECOT,” the mega-prison where Abrego Garcia is being held.

He said he replied to Ulloa, “I said I’m not interested in a tour, I just want to meet with Mr. Abrego Garcia.” Van Hollen was then told, “maybe the America embassy will ask.”

According to Van Hollen, Ulloa said that the Trump administration is financially compensating El Salvador to keep Abrego Garcia imprisoned.

BREAKING: Senator @ChrisVanHollen just met with El Salvador’s Vice President Félix Ulloa, and get this…The VP told Van Hollen that the reason they are holding Kilmar Abrego Garcia at CECOT is because the Trump administration is paying them to do so.

They also provided no… pic.twitter.com/mHeN9dEB8F

— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) April 16, 2025

This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information is available.

Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said Wednesday that his meeting with El Salvador’s Vice President Félix Ulloa began with a rare “point of agreement” — both nations should work together to crack down on… Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said Wednesday that his meeting with El Salvador’s Vice President Félix Ulloa began with a rare “point of agreement” — both nations should work together to crack down on violent gangs like MS-13.