The Nicaraguan opposition and political activist Karelia de la Vega, Known as “Lady la Vulgaraza”, she left her request for refuge in Costa Rica and decided to leave for the United States in search of political asylum and better life opportunities.
The 28-year-old transgender girl first arrived in Costa Rica on June 10 of this year, after the siege and persecution by the Police at the service of the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. The neighboring country to the south of her issued a refuge cardbut on November 13 he decided to leave.
Related news: Costa Rica grants refuge card to Karelia de la Vega and recognizes her gender identity
In interview with Article 66the young opposition member recounted that she passed the Rio Grande through Ciudad Juárez and turned herself in to the US immigration authorities on Thursday, December 1, she was held for four days.
This Monday morning she was released, now she is in a shelter located in El Paso Texas to continue her trip to Miami and then think about requesting refuge.
Object of discrimination and threats by supporters of Ortega
On her journey —according to Lady la Vulgaraza— she was subjected to discrimination and xenophobia due to her sexual preference, in addition to the fear of being kidnapped by the cartels that prevail in the border countries.
«As a trans girl that I am, it has been very difficult, I had to deal with a lot of discrimination, pointing out and mocking. This was a nightmare, but thank God I’m safe now, enjoying this freedom; I will no longer be persecuted by the regime or its supporters,” she said with relief.
She also said that on her way to the United States she met sympathizers of the Daniel Ortega regime who offended her because of her political position. “They told me that Daniel Ortega was looking for me, that he was going to take me to El Chipote and that he was going to hit me under the tongue.”
“I told them that Daniel Ortega was looking for them, because they have betrayed him and are fleeing after saying that everything is going well in Nicaragua, that there are no political prisoners and much less there is a violation of human rights. In addition, they were talking about the United States, affirming that they were financing the supposed coup d’état, “said the opponent.
Related news: Karelia de la Vega, trans activist, exile and entrepreneur
He added that he told Sandinista sympathizers that “they were the ones who did flee from Daniel Ortega, because they know that the dictator does not forgive treason and that they are traitors, because they even voted on November 7 in the municipal elections for the regime.” from Nicaragua”.
Regarding her political activism and her position as an opponent, de la Vega affirmed with aplomb that she will continue “the fight that I bring from Nicaragua, demanding the freedom of all political prisoners and that of the priests who are being prosecuted by the Ortega justice system.” . She appreciated the support that was given to her in Costa Rica for five months.
“Thank you to all the people who supported me in Costa Rica, be it economically, physically, psychologically (…) Here I am with the grace of God to seek my destiny,” he concluded.
