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Ben LinderAmerican engineer brutally murdered by rebels in Nicaragua
Date of Birth: 07.07.1959
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Ben Linder
Ben Linder was an American engineer who was brutally killed by rebels during the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua. His death sparked heated debates worldwide and outrage over why an American citizen was not provided with proper protection.
Early Life and Education
Ben Linder was born on July 7, 1959, in California. In 1977, he graduated from Adams High School in Portland. Ben was an extremely versatile young man - he excelled academically and enjoyed pursuing various interests, such as juggling and unicycling. In 1983, Linder completed his studies at the University of Washington, earning a degree in mechanical engineering.
Work in Nicaragua
In the summer of the same year, Benjamin left his home in Oregon and traveled to Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. Even then, he did not abandon his passions and joyful spirit - he brought along his beloved unicycle. Just like hundreds of other Americans, Ben was inspired by the ideas of the Sandinista Revolution and fervently dreamed of supporting the Nicaraguans and improving their lives.
However, the Reagan administration considered the Sandinistas as a perfect platform for the spread of communist ideas and prepared to suppress the revolution. In 1981, the Central Intelligence Agency gathered, armed, and sent thousands of rebels to Nicaragua to destroy anything related to the revolution.
In 1986, Ben Linder moved from Managua to a Nicaraguan village. There, he was involved in the construction of a hydroelectric power station and the supply of electricity to the city. Additionally, the lively Benjamin participated in a campaign to vaccinate the population and often entertained local children with clowning, juggling, and expert unicycling. He was deeply loved and respected by the community.
Death and Legacy
On April 28, 1987, Ben Linder and two other Nicaraguans were killed by rebels while working on the construction of a dam. The investigation revealed that a grenade was thrown at Linder, followed by a point-blank shot to the head. The other two workers were also killed from close range.
After some time, Ben Linder - who once lived with dreams of a bright future for the world and tragically (or perhaps deliberately) perished - was posthumously awarded the Courage of Conscience medal.
