Humberto Ortega facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Humberto Ortega
Ortega in 2005
Born	(1947-01-10)January 10, 1947 Managua, Nicaragua
Died	September 30, 2024(2024-09-30) (aged 77) Managua, Nicaragua
Office	Minister of Defense of Nicaragua
Political party	FSLN (until 1995)
Relatives	Daniel Ortega (brother)

General Humberto Ortega Saavedra (born January 10, 1947 – died September 30, 2024) was an important military leader and writer from Nicaragua. He served as the Minister of Defense for many years. His time as minister began after the Sandinista revolution succeeded in 1979. He continued in this role through the first presidency of his brother, Daniel Ortega, and even during the presidency of Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, who won the elections in 1990.

Biography

Humberto Ortega, along with his brother, Daniel Ortega (who is the current President of Nicaragua), and Victor Tirado López, helped start a group within the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) in 1975.

He was one of the leaders who created a plan for fighting in cities. This plan helped start a civil war in Nicaragua in October 1977. This war eventually led to the end of the Somoza family's long rule in July 1979.

As Minister of Defense during the ten years the Sandinistas were in charge, Ortega was responsible for building up the Sandinista Popular Army (EPS). He also led the army in fighting against groups that opposed the government, known as the "contra" factions.

After Daniel Ortega and the Sandinista Party lost the election in 1990, Humberto kept control of the military. He retired in 1995 and handed over his job to his second-in-command, Joaquín Cuadra. General Humberto Ortega then began to change the EPS into the Nicaraguan National Army, which was meant to serve the country and not be linked to any political party.

Death

Ortega passed away in Managua on September 30, 2024. He was 77 years old.

Published writer

In December 2004, Humberto Ortega released a book called La epopeya de la insurrección, which means Epic of the Insurrection. Ortega said he worked on this book for two years, spending 10 hours a day. He used his own notes, meeting records, and other documents to tell the story of the struggle that ended the Somoza family's 43-year rule.

He also wrote other books, including 50 años de lucha sandinista, Sobre la insurrección, and Nicaragua revolución y democracia.

Works

• A diez años de la rendición total de la guardia somocista (1989)
• Sobre la insurrección (1981)
• 50 años de lucha sandinista (1978)
• La epopeya de la insurrección (2004)
• Nicaragua (1992)
• Sobre la insurrección (1981)
• Insurrección y Nicaragua Revolución
• Democracia de sobre

See also

In Spanish: Humberto Ortega para niños