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Explanation
This war between the Nicaraguan government, controlled by
a party the Americans considered Communist, and American financed
guerrillas has probably come to an end with the election of a
government representing the guerrillas ("Contras").
The United States used economic embargo and other economic
weapons as well as the guerrillas, many of whom were the former
members of the brutal National Guard which had been controlled
by the previous dictator.
Although the United States
government was prohibited by its own laws from sending arms to the right
wing rebels, its officials sent arms through unofficial bodies
and used funds derived from illegal sources (Iranian arms sales),
raising the question of unconstitutional actions by US officials
and whether the US government is, as it claims, a government
of laws.
Many Nicaraguans believed the American government (at least
those of Reagan and Bush) would not object to the restoration
of a dictatorship.
Peace?
In 1992 fighting stopped. But if the government shows signs
of restoring the rightwing dictatorship the leftists may resume
the fight. The US government withheld the promised aid after
the peace agreement, presumably because the new Nicaraguan government
tried reconciliation with the Sandinista party rather than suppression,
and some Sandinista officials, such as the commander of the army,
remained in place. Reporters assume that the US government has
demanded all these be dismissed before any aid can be offered.
(Experience suggests that even then there would be very little
money).
Subsequent elections re-elected the leftwing leader Ortega who proved no longer to support his former beliefs and is therefore acceptable to the US government.
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