Former Nicaraguan Political Prisoner Needs new (Used) Van to Survive in the US

Jose’s van is everything to him--his home, workshop, storage space, transportation and key to his survival. But the van broke down irreparably last week. He needs our help to replace it and resume his struggle to make it as a Nicaraguan refugee on the streets of California.

Jose arrived in the US one year ago, one of 222 political prisoners suddenly expelled from Nicaragua, stripped of their citizenship, flown to Washington DC and granted political asylum. He’d endured five years in a Managua prison, including a large stretch in solitary confinement, for having participated in the 2018 mass protests against the Ortega regime’s theft of his parents’ old-age pensions.

Jose, who is in his early 40s, made his way to California, where he bought the run-down van and began to remake his life as a street vendor, living out of the vehicle with his dog.

Last week, the vehicle broke down beyond repair and was towed away with all of his belongings inside. His property will hopefully be returned but the vehicle is beyond repair.

Jose is a gentle soul who is working hard to rebuild a life here. His ambitions are modest: live independently and respect the laws of the land that has given him this new start. He is worthy of our support. Please contribute to our campaign to help him buy a new van.

*Disclaimer: For Jose’s safety, the photo does not depict him nor his dog

**If anyone knows of a good used van for sale (in California) please contact me (Joan)

I am fundraising for Jose because I lived in Nicaragua for 8 years and am the author of The Death of Ben Linder; the Story of a North American in Sandinista Nicaragua.