Contras

Quick Facts: Who was Contras?

Subject:

Contras

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Anti-communist rebel groups fighting the Sandinista government in Nicaragua (1979–1990).

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Contras (from Spanish: contrarrevolucionarios, lit. 'counter-revolutionaries') were the anti-communist rebels who waged a guerrilla war against the Marxist Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) and the Junta of National Reconstruction, which came to power after the Nicaraguan Revolution in 1979. The insurgency against the Sandinista government lasted from 1979 until 1990, and was one of the highest profile conflicts of the Cold War. In July 1979, the FSLN took control of the capital Managua after weeks of heavy fighting. The president at the time, Anastasio Somoza Debayle, fled the country and relinquished control of the central government, leaving the Sandinistas in power.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The Sandinistas created a junta that acted as an interim government immediately after. Various groups were created in response to this, consisting of dissidents of the new government and members of the former National Guard. These groups would regularly meet and establish the Contras in 1980. During the insurgency, the United States and several other countries provided military assistance and financial aid to the Contras. In 1981, the CIA and Argentina's Secretariat of Intelligence persuaded several Contra groups to unite into the larger Nicaraguan Democratic Force (FDN).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1982, the Boland Amendment was passed to end U.S. aid to the Contras; yet the Reagan administration continued to illegally fund the Contras, which resulted in a scandal known as the Iran–Contra affair. By 1987, most of the Contra militias had united into the Nicaraguan Resistance, within which the Nicaraguan Democratic Force was the largest group. During the war, the Contras' tactics featured terrorism and human rights violations against civilians. The Reagan administration contended that the Contras' tactics did not include deliberate attacks against civilians. The CIA said that Contra terrorism resulted from "the poor discipline characteristic of irregular forces", that terrorism was not an official military doctrine of the Contras, and that the Contra leader responsible, Comandante Suicida, was executed.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1979: 1979 Milestone — 'counter-revolutionaries') were the anti-communist rebels who waged a guerrilla war against the Marxist Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) and the Junta of National Reconstruction, which came to power after the Nicaraguan Revolution in 1979.
2. 1980: 1980 Milestone — These groups would regularly meet and establish the Contras in 1980.
3. 1981: 1981 Milestone — In 1981, the CIA and Argentina's Secretariat of Intelligence persuaded several Contra groups to unite into the larger Nicaraguan Democratic Force (FDN).
4. 1982: 1982 Milestone — In 1982, the Boland Amendment was passed to end U.
5. 1987: 1987 Milestone — By 1987, most of the Contra militias had united into the Nicaraguan Resistance, within which the Nicaraguan Democratic Force was the largest group.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Contras

True or False: “The Contras were a unified, monolithic military force from the beginning of the conflict.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Contras were not monolithic; they comprised three distinct elements: ex-guardsmen, anti-Somoza activists, and Nicaraguans who opposed the Sandinistas.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• 1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament — Historical peer (Born in 1982) (1982): The 44th annual NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Contras