Adolfo Calero facts for kids
Adolfo Calero Portocarrero (born December 22, 1931 – died June 2, 2012) was a businessman from Nicaragua. He was a main leader of the Nicaraguan Democratic Force (FDN). The FDN was the largest group of the Contras, who were rebels fighting against the Sandinista government in Nicaragua.
Calero helped manage the money used to buy supplies and weapons for the Contras. He even spoke to the U.S. Congress in May 1987 about their activities.
Early Life and Education
Adolfo Calero was born in Managua, Nicaragua, on December 22, 1931. He was the oldest of four children. He went to college in the United States. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1953 and also studied at Syracuse University. After returning to Managua, he managed the local Coca-Cola bottling factory.
Calero was connected to the Conservative Party of Nicaragua. Before 1979, he was briefly put in prison by the government of Anastasio Somoza. This made people believe he was against both Somoza and the Sandinistas.
Leading the Contras
In early 1983, Adolfo Calero joined the political leaders of the Nicaraguan Democratic Force (FDN). By October of that year, he became its president. Many people wondered how much real power he had over the military side of the group.
To bring different Contra groups together and get support from the U.S. Congress, he joined a group called the United Nicaraguan Opposition (UNO). He was one of three main leaders in this group, along with Alfonso Robelo and Arturo Cruz.
Calero had strong control over the FDN. He worked closely with his deputy, Aristides Sánchez, and the Contras' military commander, Enrique Bermúdez. Their close partnership was even called the "Iron Triangle."
However, there were some disagreements within the group. Later, other commanders, with support from the U.S. State Department, removed both their political and military leaders. In 2011, Calero published a book called "Cronicas de un Contra" (Chronicles of a Contra). It tells about his role in Nicaragua during the 1980s.
Personal Life
Adolfo Calero married Maria Ernestina Lacayo on December 7, 1957. They had two children, Myriam and Adolfo. He also had three grandchildren. Calero had three younger siblings: Myriam, Mario, and Martha.
Death
Adolfo Calero passed away in Managua on June 2, 2012. He died due to problems from pneumonia and kidney failure. He was survived by his wife, daughter, three grandchildren, and two sisters.
See also
In Spanish: Adolfo Calero para niños
