Sonia

Sonia* is a young Nicaraguan woman, and she lived in the center of Managua, Nicaragua, right around the corner from the presidential palace where President Ortega lived.

President Ortega was re-elected as Nicaragua’s president in 2006, and he has continued to hold power ever since. Over time, the Ortega regime systematically oppressed anyone who opposed it – from young students, to academics, to journalists, to political rivals. In 2016, Ortega’s wife, Rosario, became his Vice President. Just last year, President Ortega jailed all opposition leaders on false charges just before the election, which was denounced as illegitimate by the United States. The Ortega regime exerts control over the entire country, including the media, and educational and judicial systems. There is no freedom of speech. The Ortega regime quiets any opposition through terror, arbitrary arrest and detainment, torture, and disappearances.

It was in this environment that Sonia stood up for justice and freedom and participated in peaceful protests against the corrupt and oppressive dictatorship in her country. During the protests, she documented how the Nicaraguan police were violently oppressing peaceful protestors and posted her videos on social media. Many people communicated through social media to give each other accurate information, since the government controls the media and news.

It didn’t take long for the Nicaraguan government to notice Sonia. Government informants re-posted Sonia’s information, calling her a “traitor” and calling for people to locate her. Sonia began to receive messages from the Nicaraguan government, warning her to stop posting videos in opposition to the government, or she would disappear.

Nicaraguan police began to follow her when she left home, and they would sit in their cars outside her home. One day, Nicaraguan police confronted her in her home. She and her family, including her 3-year-old daughter, had just returned home. The Nicaraguan police told her to stop posting on social media or face arrest and detention, or worse.

Sonia became terrified. She loved her country and never wanted to leave her home. But she was left without a choice. Sonia, her partner, and her daughter fled to the United States to seek safety. Immediately after she left, Nicaraguan police questioned her family members, asking where she was. Sonia’s sister, Ana, was eventually interrogated for hours, beaten and burned by Nicaraguan police because they were looking for Sonia. Ana was also forced to flee and seek safety in the US.

Sonia is determined, brave and bright, and she is a dedicated mother to her now 5-year-old daughter. She is loyal and loves her family. She courageously spoke out against a dangerous and oppressive regime, hoping to effect change and move her country back toward democratic ideals and a respect of basic human rights.  

Like refugees around the world, Sonia has lost so much–most significantly the ability to live safely and freely in her home country. Rebuilding a life is slow work, but Sonia has hope. Her daughter is amazing and lights up the room. Sonia is working and studying in the evenings to be a medical assistant. Days can be long and hard, but the contours of a good and hope-filled future are coming into focus. RILA represents Sonia, her partner, her daughter, and her sister Ana, in their applications for asylum.

*Names have been changed.