Former Nicaraguan paramilitary faces deportation from US

Marlon Gerardo Sáenz Cruz, 65, a former Nicaraguan paramilitary, is facing possible deportation from the United States or statelessness after being detained by immigration authorities in Los Angeles on August 17. Sáenz Cruz was one of 222 prisoners who had their Nicaraguan citizenship revoked and were brought to Washington D.C. on humanitarian parole in February 2023.

His detention occurred during a routine check-in with immigration authorities. Sáenz Cruz must now present his case before an immigration judge to remain in the U.S. His immigration court date is scheduled for September 8. The situation arises amid increased asylum denial rates and the practice of sending individuals with lesser deportation protections to third countries.

A group of Nicaraguan exiles has alleged that Sáenz Cruz and other former government officials maintain connections to the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo. These exiles also accuse Sáenz Cruz of harassing government opponents. A legal representative for Sáenz Cruz stated that he was acting in response to attacks against him.

In October 2025, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated he would investigate the allegations made by the exiles. Aida Carrion-Vanegas, president of Nicaraguan Americans United for the Republic, said she had not heard from Landau since his statement. The U.S. State Department did not respond to a request for comment.

Sáenz Cruz, known in Nicaragua as El Chino Enoc, was a guerrilla fighter in the 1970s and later involved in a government-aligned paramilitary group that repressed anti-government protesters in 2018. He broke with the government in 2019 and began denouncing corruption. He was imprisoned in Nicaragua in May 2022 on charges he claims were politically motivated.

His accredited representative, Muriel Sáenz, who is not related to him, stated that he has health issues, including a leg ulcer and glaucoma, some stemming from torture and solitary confinement. She also said complications from polio have worsened in ICE detention, requiring him to use a wheelchair. Sáenz is reportedly being held at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center.

The legal dilemma for an immigration judge involves weighing Sáenz Cruz's alleged involvement in human rights abuses against the principle of not returning individuals to dangerous situations. Under U.S. law, perpetrators of severe human rights abuses are barred from asylum. However, a judge could grant deportation deferral under the Convention Against Torture if he is likely to face torture in Nicaragua. This protection would prevent deportation to Nicaragua but would not grant permanent status or prevent transfer to a third country.

Disagreement on Sáenz Cruz's actions

Nicaraguan exiles allege that Marlon Gerardo Sáenz Cruz maintains ties to President Daniel Ortega's government and harassed opponents. A legal representative for Sáenz Cruz stated that he was responding to attacks against him. Sáenz's accredited representative denied that he had killed anyone or committed any crime in Nicaragua.

What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated or centre-rated reports mention the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau's response in October 2025 to allegations made by Nicaraguan exiles, stating he would investigate. The reports also do not include any information from the U.S. State Department or ICE in response to requests for comment.