Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has responded to Hunter Biden’s controversial threat to invade El Salvador with a combination of mockery and a focus on U.S.-El Salvador cooperation. Bukele, who has consistently aligned with former U.S. President Donald Trump on immigration policy, took to social media to highlight Biden’s remarks about drug use, stating, ‘Is Hunter Biden sniffing powdered milk?’ The reference alludes to Biden’s past admissions of using drugs, including a notable revelation during an interview with CBS in which he claimed to have smoked ‘anything that even remotely resembled crack cocaine,’ including ‘more Parmesan cheese than anyone you know.’
The exchange took place after Biden, during an interview with podcaster Andrew Callaghan, made veiled threats against El Salvador, accusing U.S. leaders such as Trump and Bukele of a ‘f—ing crime’ and labeling them ‘f—ing dictator-thugs.’ Bukele, however, dismissed these remarks and instead emphasized the ongoing collaboration between El Salvador and the U.S. on immigration issues. He cited a recent prisoner swap involving Venezuela, where the Maduro regime released ten U.S. citizens in exchange for deportees held at the CECOT penitentiary. This agreement, according to Bukele, demonstrated the effectiveness of the U.S.-El Salvador partnership on immigration and security matters.
Bukele also pointed out that Venezuela had initially been resistant to accepting deported individuals but changed its stance after the swap, suggesting that Maduro’s regime was more concerned about the absence of hostages than the terms of the deal itself. The president further highlighted a clip of U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler calling him a ‘good friend of the U.S.,’ reinforcing the importance of their relationship. Despite the heated exchange, Bukele’s response underscores the complex interplay between U.S. and Central American leaders on immigration and security, reflecting broader political shifts in the region and beyond.