Attack At LI Consulate 'Act Of Terrorism': El Salvador President

BRENTWOOD, NY — El Salvador President Nayib Bukele denounced what he called an "act of terrorism" on Sunday, after an attack at the Consulate of El Salvador in Brentwood, according to a statement from the government of El Salvador.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a group of people burned a consulate vehicle Sunday morning. The vehicle was used to bring services to residents in "remote areas and cities" from the consular headquarters, officials said.

"The government of El Salvador, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, condemns in the strongest way the terrorist attack perpetrated this morning against the Consulate of El Salvador on Long Island," the statement read.

Although no arrests have been made, Secretary of Salvadorans Abroad Wendy Clavijo, who tweeted photos and videos of the burned vehicle, said she believes the attacks were made by "supposed sympathizers" of ARENA and the FMLN, two of El Salvador's three political parties.

"These are acts of terrorism. They are desperate to regain power and do not care what they have to do to achieve it," Bukele posted on his official Twitter account.

He added: "There is no doubt that they are the worst thing that has happened to our country. Unfortunately, they won't go that easy. They have already shown that they are ready for anything."

Bukele, the country's youngest president yet, has faced opposition in the past week over his controversial decision to make cryptocurrency Bitcoin legal tender. Thousands protested in the capital city of San Salvador on Wednesday and vandalized special Bitcoin ATMs, claiming he has concentrated too much power and weakened the independence of the courts, according to a report by ABC News.

Suffolk Police said the attacks are still under investigation.

Clavijo, ARENA, and FMLN did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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