# Detention of exiled Nicaraguan journalist in the US

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/detention-of-exiled-nicaraguan-journalist-in-the-us
> Updated: 2026-09-18T17:36:43.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 2.

Luis Manuel Chavarría Galeano, an exiled Nicaraguan journalist and director of the program ‘Café con Voz’, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Orlando, Florida, on September 14, 2026. Galeano, who fled Nicaragua in 2018 following political persecution, was working as a rideshare driver at the time of his arrest.

In February 2023, the Nicaraguan government stripped Galeano of his nationality and labeled him a ‘traitor to the fatherland.’ Following his detention, U.S. Representative María Elvira Salazar urged authorities to prevent his deportation, citing extreme danger to his life if returned to Nicaragua. Reporteros Sin Fronteras (RSF) Spain has also called upon the Spanish government to intervene, noting that Galeano holds Spanish citizenship, and has requested consular assistance from the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Spanish Consulate General in Miami.

On September 23, U.S. authorities granted bail to Galeano following his detention for immigration violations after his initial period of stay expired. While the Department of Homeland Security is pursuing deportation proceedings, Galeano has a pending political asylum request filed in 2019. His legal team and family indicated he might be released shortly, though the bail amount remains undisclosed. His immigration court hearing is scheduled for October 2 to determine his legal status.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-18: Reporteros Sin Fronteras urges Spain to prevent journalist's deportation

RSF Spain is urging the Spanish government to prevent the deportation of Spanish-naturalized journalist Luis Galeano from the US to Nicaragua, where he faces potential persecution.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/reporteros-sin-fronteras-urges-spain-to-prevent-journalists-deportation

### 2026-09-14: Luis Galeano, exiled Nicaraguan journalist, detained by ICE in Florida

Nicaraguan exiled journalist Luis Galeano, director of Café con Voz, was detained by ICE in Florida while working as an Uber driver. Advocates warn of extreme risks if he is deported to Nicaragua.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/luis-galeano-exiled-nicaraguan-journalist-detained-by-ice-in-florida

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Cite as: Detention of exiled Nicaraguan journalist in the US. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/detention-of-exiled-nicaraguan-journalist-in-the-us