Anastasio Somoza Debayle

Between conservative governments backed by the U.S. Marines (1912-1925) and the Somoza family dictatorship (1936-1979), Nicaragua had a tumultuous political landscape for most of the twentieth century. Even the eleven years between the conservative governments and the authoritarian dynasty brought little respite. In fact, it was during the Liberal Constitutionalist Revolution (1926-1927) that Chinandega combusted, both figuratively and literally (307). In January 1937, Anastasio Somoza Garcia became president and was later succeeded by his sons, Luis Somoza Debayle and Anastasio Somoza Debayle, respectively. While in power, the Somoza dynasty struggled to earn the support of the campesinos, whose tensions with landowners (289), frustration…

In the 1970’s, Nicaragua opted for a communist, guerrilla warfare path to confronting the Cold War. Given the long and painful history Nicaragua has with the United States - U.S. mercenary William Walker invaded and proclaimed himself president of Nicaragua from 1855 to 1858, the United States backed a 1909 rebellion that sparked a civil war, and a prolonged occupation of Nicaragua by U.S. Marines - it is not surprising that the nationalist and anti-imperialist revolutionary movement was…

For approximately a month at the Tornabene Theatre, the Arizona Repertory Company had been showcasing Hands on Hardbody, a country rock musical about a several people trying to win a truck in a contest. This play’s book was written by Doug Wright, lyrics written by Amanda Green, and music done by Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green. Thanks to the collaboration of the production team, the audience was able to experience a grueling contest in Longview, Texas of 1995. Presented by a special arrangement…

The image I am analyzing is from a war zone in the city of Esteli which was bombed by president Anastasio Samoza Debayle because citizens of Nicaragua started revolting against him by forming a foundation called the Sandinista National Liberation Front also known as FSLN ( Wikipedia, “Anastasio Somoza DeBayle”). This image is a representation of political power, how rebelling against a powerful man cost the civilians their everything. The image is photographed by a Dutch photographer Keon…

made two distinct mistakes which only furthered revolutionary fervor within the state. First, Anastasio Jr. in 1969 ordered the National Guard to trap and execute a handful of leaders of the FSLN. They were ultimately successful and killed five leaders who were Sandinist revolutionaries. By ordering this brutal execution of the revolutionary groups leaders Anastasio Jr. furthered the justification from those who either hated the regime or saw no benefits from it that the government was…

out in 1925, Diaz hastened the USA for help and the second American occupation lasted until 1933. During the American occupation there had been no police or army in Nicaragua, but only a National Guard and when the American troops left Nicaragua in 1933, the fate of the country in the balance, Anastasio “Tacho” Somoza was the head of the National Guard captured the power vacuum the Americans had left behind and initiated a regime that (Betz: 25) emphatically characterizes “as cruel and greedy…