Utah Rep. Kennedy toured El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison as Democrat denied access to wrongfully deported man

While a U.S. Senator was denied access to "hell on Earth," Utah Congressman Mike Kennedy got a VIP tour. The notorious Terrorist Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador—a prison infamous for its brutal conditions—became the center of political controversy this week when officials blocked Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen from visiting a wrongfully deported Maryland resident, just one day after welcoming Kennedy and other Republican lawmakers inside.

Kennedy was part of a delegation led by Ways and Means chair Rep. Jason Smith that met with the U.S. ambassador to El Salvador and toured the maximum security prison in the town of Tecoluca, about 45 miles from the capital of San Salvador. The brutal conditions inside the prison have earned it the nickname “hell on Earth.”

Adding to the controversy, Kennedy's colleague Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) sparked outrage by posing in front of cells with hundreds of inmates while giving the “thumbs up” sign.

Kennedy’s office did not respond to a request for interview or comment from Utah Political Watch.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador in March due to what the Trump administration later admitted was an “administrative error.” Despite a Supreme Court order to “facilitate” his return to the United States, administration officials continue to resist citing alleged gang connections.

Authorities refused Van Hollen’s request to meet with Abrego Garcia or speak with him via phone.

“This is about bringing home a man they admit should’ve never been abducted. I won’t rest until then,” Van Hollen said in a social media post.