Former Rep. Matt Gaetz led the El Salvador Caucus Celebration of Friendship, commemorating the “zenith” of the friendship between the United States and El Salvador.

Formal relations between the United States and El Salvador began on Aug. 4, 1824, when President James Monroe recognized the independence of the Federation of Central American States, which encompassed modern-day El Salvador. While the relationship has fluctuated over the past 200 years, attendees approved Gaetz’s statement with applause that the celebration at the National Archives commemorated the “zenith” of relations between the two countries.