Helion and Company Nicaragua 1961-1990 - Vol.2 Contra War - Latin America @ War No.15 - Helion & Company via Casemate UK

[Julien]

Nicaragua 1961-1990

Vol.2 Contra War - Latin America @ War No.15

ISBN : 9781911628217

Helion & Company via Casemate UK

 

 

Nicaragua is another one of the countries of Latin America which in modern times has been ravaged with internal conflict. Following the US Invasion in 1915 the country became to be a Dictatorship run by the Somoza Family, If they were not in power directly then they were the power Brokers. Anastasio Somoza Garcia would become President in 1937 when he removed the then President. He was nominally succeeded in 1947 however he then lead a coup to retain power. He was then fatally shot by the Poet Rigoberto López Pérez in 1956, only to be replaced by his son! Following a Marxist led insurgency the Sandinista Government would be established in 1979, however by this time the country had been ravaged by war, and natural disasters. 

 

 

This book now looks at the period following 1979. Given the state of the country and its economy at this point the new government introduced a number o wide ranging reforms and what amounted to a cultural revolution. However in the background the US were worried about another seemingly Cuban backed government in the region and thus began to support the creation of a new counterrevolutionary force which would become known as the "Contras". This new in effect civil war in which both sides would be supported by outside groups would rage through the country until the late 1980s. The Sandinistas would start to gain the upper hand, then in 1984 the US Congress would cease aid to the Contras. The same year fresh elections would also boost the Sandinista side. The US would try repeatedly to support the Contras but to no avail with the whole Arms to Iran and funding for the Contras coming under great scrutiny. The period 1988 to 1990 would lead to peace talks, while the government was successful on the battlefield the economy was in ruin compounded by a major Hurricane hitting in 1988 with a drought the year later. Following peace talks there were elections in 1989 and a difficult demobilisation of forces.  The period of time following this has not been easy for the country with large scale demonstrations as late as 2018, however the country has remained free of conflict.

 

 

Conclusion

This book will give the reader an understanding of this conflict in Nicaragua. It is A4 softcover and 71 pages long with black & white illustrations throughout. There are also 8 colour pages with equipment profiles and maps.

 

Highly Recommended.

 

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