Sandinista National Liberation Front facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sandinista National Liberation Front Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional
Abbreviation	FSLN
President	Daniel Ortega
Vice President	Rosario Murillo
National Assembly Leader	Gustavo Porras Cortés [es]
Founder	Carlos Fonseca Silvio Mayorga [es] Tomás Borge Casimiro Sotelo
Founded	19 July 1961; 63 years ago (19 July 1961)
Headquarters	Leal Villa De Santiago De Managua, Managua
Newspaper	La Voz del Sandinismo
Youth wing	Sandinista Youth
Women's wing	AMNLAE
Membership (1990)	<95,700
Ideology	Sandinismo Christian left Christian socialism Liberation theology Left-wing populism Historical: Marxism–Leninism
Political position	Left-wing to far-left
Religion	Christianity
Regional affiliation	Parliamentary Left Group (Central American Parliament)
Continental affiliation	São Paulo Forum COPPPAL
Union affiliate	Sandinista Workers' Centre
Colors	Official:      Red      Black Customary:      Carmine red
National Assembly	75 / 90
Central American Parliament	15 / 20
Flag

The Sandinista National Liberation Front (Spanish: Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional, FSLN) is a socialist political party in Nicaragua. Its members are called Sandinistas. The party is named after Augusto César Sandino, who led a fight against the United States in the 1930s.

The FSLN took power in the 1979 Nicaraguan Revolution. They ended the rule of the Somoza family and set up a new government. The Sandinistas ruled Nicaragua from 1979 to 1990. During this time, they started programs to teach people to read and write. They also made changes to land ownership and healthcare. However, they faced criticism for how they treated some people and for problems with the economy.

A group called the Contras was formed in 1981 to fight against the Sandinista government. The United States supported this group. The civil war between the Contras and the government lasted until 1989. The Sandinistas lost the 1990 election but still had many seats in the government.

Today, the FSLN is Nicaragua's main political party. Daniel Ortega, a former FSLN president, was re-elected in 2006. He has been re-elected several times since then, though some international observers have criticized these elections.

History of the Sandinistas

Why the Name "Sandinista"?

The Sandinistas got their name from Augusto César Sandino (1895–1934). He was a Nicaraguan leader who fought against the US presence in his country in the early 1900s. The word "-ista" means "follower of" in Spanish.

Sandino was killed in 1934 by the Nicaraguan National Guard. This was a police force supported by the US and led by Anastasio Somoza García. Somoza's family then ruled Nicaragua until the Sandinistas overthrew them in 1979.

Before the Revolution (1933–1961)

After the US soldiers left Nicaragua in 1933, the US-supported National Guard remained. Its leader, Anastasio Somoza García, had Sandino killed in 1934. Somoza later became president in 1936, starting a long period of rule by his family.

In the 1960s, ideas about freedom and independence spread worldwide. In Nicaragua, groups that opposed the Somoza family began to join forces. They formed the National Liberation Front, which later became the Sandinista National Liberation Front.

Nicaragua's economy was struggling at this time. Prices for important crops like cotton and coffee had fallen.

In 1956, a poet named Rigoberto López Pérez killed Anastasio Somoza García.

In 1957, Carlos Fonseca, Silvio Mayorga, and Tomás Borge formed an early group that cared about the struggles of working people. This group grew and changed over time.

How the FSLN Started (1961–1970)

The FSLN was formed in 1961 by Carlos Fonseca, Silvio Mayorga, Tomás Borge, and others. They were inspired by other freedom movements around the world. At first, they were called "The National Liberation Front" (FLN). Only Tomás Borge lived to see the Sandinistas win in 1979.

The group discussed their political ideas and decided to follow Sandino's path. They believed that armed struggle was necessary to fight the Somoza dictatorship. The name "Sandinista" was added two years later, connecting them to Sandino's legacy.

Growing Stronger (1970–1976)

On December 23, 1972, a big earthquake hit Managua, the capital city. It killed many people and destroyed most buildings. President Anastasio Somoza Debayle's National Guard took much of the international aid sent to help. Somoza and his friends also profited from rebuilding contracts. This made many people angry.

In December 1974, a Sandinista group took government officials hostage at a party. They demanded money and the release of Sandinista prisoners. One of the prisoners released was Daniel Ortega, who later became president. The Somoza government responded by increasing censorship and violence.

In 1975, Somoza declared a state of emergency. This meant he had more power and could control the press and arrest opponents. Many Sandinista fighters were killed, including their leader Carlos Fonseca in 1976.

Different Ideas (1977–1978)

After some setbacks, the FSLN developed different ideas about how to fight.

• One group, the "Prolonged Popular War" (GPP), believed in building support among farmers in the countryside over a long time.
• Another group, the "Proletarian Tendency," focused on organizing city workers.
• A third group, the "Insurrectional Tendency" or "Third Way," led by Daniel Ortega and his brother Humberto Ortega, believed in working with different groups, even those who were not communists, to quickly overthrow Somoza.

In October 1977, a group of important Nicaraguan professionals and religious leaders joined the "Third Way" Sandinistas. They formed "The Group of Twelve" to organize a temporary government.

The Uprising (1978)

On January 10, 1978, Pedro Joaquín Chamorro, a newspaper editor who opposed Somoza, was killed. This led to protests and a general strike. The "Third Way" Sandinistas launched attacks in several cities.

In August, Sandinista fighters led by Edén Pastora took many hostages, including Somoza's relatives. Somoza paid a large ransom and released 59 political prisoners, including Tomás Borge. This event showed how weak the government was.

Soon after, six Nicaraguan cities rebelled. Many ordinary people joined the fight. This uprising in September 1978 led to many deaths, mostly civilians. However, it also brought the different Sandinista groups closer together.

Coming Together (1979)

In early 1979, the US government stopped supporting Somoza. However, they didn't want a left-wing government in Nicaragua. Different groups tried to find a way to remove Somoza without giving the FSLN full power.

But many young people joined the FSLN, strengthening the revolutionary groups. On March 7, 1979, the three main Sandinista groups officially reunited. Nine leaders, including Daniel Ortega, Humberto Ortega, and Tomás Borge, formed a National Directorate to lead the FSLN.

The Nicaraguan Revolution

The FSLN grew from one of many groups to the main leader in overthrowing Somoza. By April 1979, the FSLN had opened five fighting fronts. They called for a general strike on June 4, and an uprising began in Managua.

On June 16, a temporary Nicaraguan government was announced in Costa Rica. It included Daniel Ortega from the FSLN and Violeta Barrios de Chamorro. By the end of June, most of Nicaragua was under FSLN control.

On July 17, Somoza resigned and fled the country. Two days later, on July 19, the FSLN army entered Managua. This marked the end of the revolution. The war caused 30,000–50,000 deaths and left many homeless. The new government promised to work for democracy and a mixed economy.

Sandinista Rule (1979–1990)

The Sandinistas took over a country with huge debts and much destruction. They formed a Council of National Reconstruction with five members. Three were Sandinistas, including Daniel Ortega.

The FSLN also set up a Council of State, but it gave most power to Sandinista groups. This led to two non-Sandinista members resigning in 1980. The Sandinistas also had strong influence through groups like the Sandinista Workers' Federation and the Sandinista Defense Committees.

The FSLN's plan included taking over property owned by the Somoza family, changing land ownership, and improving working conditions. They also aimed to improve public services, housing, and education. They wanted to end torture and protect freedoms.

One of their biggest achievements was the literacy campaign. They sent teachers into the countryside, and within six months, they claimed to have taught half a million people to read. This reduced the illiteracy rate from over 50% to under 12%. However, some have questioned the long-term impact of this campaign.

The Sandinistas also created neighborhood groups called Sandinista Defense Committees (CDS). These groups helped with local government, organized rallies, and distributed food. They also helped defend against the Contras and gathered information. Critics said these groups were used to control people and stop political disagreement.

By 1980, disagreements grew between Sandinista and non-Sandinista leaders. Some worried that Ortega wanted to make Nicaragua like Cuba. Former Somoza supporters and ex-National Guard members formed armed groups. These groups, along with others, became known as the Contras (short for "counter-revolutionaries").

The Contras attacked economic, military, and civilian targets. The Sandinistas arrested suspected Contra members and censored publications they believed were helping the enemy.

State of Emergency (1982–1988)

In March 1982, the Sandinistas declared a State of Emergency. They said this was needed because of attacks from the Contras. This state of emergency lasted six years.

Under this emergency, some civil liberties were limited or stopped. These included freedom to protest, freedom of the press, and freedom of speech. All independent news broadcasts were suspended. Critics argued that these measures were meant to stop opposition to the FSLN.

Some measures were taken even before 1982. Special courts were set up to quickly process thousands of National Guard prisoners. Many were released due to lack of evidence.

The FSLN lost power in the 1990 presidential election when Daniel Ortega was defeated by Violeta Chamorro.

Sandinistas vs. Contras

When Ronald Reagan became US President in 1981, he criticized the FSLN. His government allowed the CIA to fund, arm, and train rebels, many of whom were former Somoza National Guard members. These rebels were called "counter-revolutionary" or Contras. Edén Pastora and some indigenous groups also fought the Sandinistas.

The Contras operated from neighboring Honduras and Costa Rica. They tried to damage Nicaragua's economy by attacking targets and even planting underwater mines in ports. The US also put economic pressure on Nicaragua with a full trade embargo.

The Contras also attacked schools and health centers. They used violence to try to destabilize the government. They received military and financial support from the CIA and the Reagan Administration. This support was criticized internationally for human rights violations. In 1984, the International Court of Justice ruled that the US had broken international law by supporting the Contras.

After the US Congress stopped funding the Contras in 1983, the Reagan administration secretly sold weapons to Iran and sent the money to the Contras. This became known as the Iran–Contra affair.

The Contra war affected different parts of Nicaragua differently. On the Caribbean coast, where many indigenous groups lived, people did not support the Sandinistas and viewed them with suspicion.

Elections

1984 Election

The Sandinistas held national elections in 1984. International observers from the UN and Western Europe said the elections were fair. However, some groups, including a coalition of anti-Sandinista activists and the US government, disagreed. They pointed to restrictions under the State of Emergency, like censorship.

Many opposition parties chose not to participate in the election. As a result, Daniel Ortega was elected president, and the FSLN won most seats in the National Assembly. Despite international approval, the United States refused to recognize the election results.

1990 Election

The 1990 elections were required by the constitution. The US government provided a lot of money to the opposition. The US also said it would keep its trade embargo against Nicaragua unless the opposition won.

There were reports of violence and intimidation during the campaign from both sides. Years of conflict had caused many deaths and huge damage to the country. A survey after the election showed that many voters believed the war would not end if the Sandinistas stayed in power.

Violeta Barrios de Chamorro won the election with 55% of the vote, defeating Daniel Ortega.

In Opposition (1990–2006)

After their loss in 1990, the Sandinistas peacefully gave up power to the National Opposition Union (UNO). This was an alliance of 14 different parties.

Reasons for the Sandinista loss are debated. Some say Nicaraguans voted for the opposition because of the ongoing US economic embargo and the threat of continued war.

After losing, Sandinista leaders kept much of the property that had been taken by the FSLN government. This was called the "piñata." Daniel Ortega remained the head of the FSLN. However, some important Sandinistas, like Ernesto Cardenal and Sergio Ramírez, left the party. They felt Ortega had too much control.

Ortega was re-elected as FSLN leader in 1998 and again in 2002. In the 2001 presidential election, Ortega lost to Enrique Bolaños.

Return to Government

In 2006, Daniel Ortega was elected president again with 38% of the vote. This brought the Sandinistas back to power after 17 years. The FSLN also won the most seats in the parliament.

In 2009, the Supreme Court, which had many Sandinista judges, removed presidential term limits. This allowed Ortega to run for president again. He was re-elected in 2011, 2016, and 2021. However, these elections have been criticized by international observers.

Protests (2018–2020)

From 2018 to 2020, Nicaragua saw many protests and unrest. This started with a large fire and then grew after the government announced social security changes.

There were many deaths linked to the violence. Some groups, like Amnesty International, said the government was responsible. Many opposition figures and journalists were arrested.

In September 2018, President Ortega declared the protests illegal. The United Nations said this violated human rights. Several human rights organizations had their licenses removed, and media offices were closed.

In January 2019, the FSLN was removed from the Socialist International, a group of socialist parties worldwide. They cited "gross violations of human rights and democratic values."

Sandinista Ideas

The FSLN used the life and ideas of Augusto César Sandino as their main symbol. His story became very important in Nicaragua.

During the fight against Somoza, FSLN leaders had different ideas about how to win:

• One group believed in a "protracted people's war" by slowly building support among farmers.
• Another group, the "proletarian tendency," wanted to organize city workers.
• The "third way" group, led by Daniel Ortega, was open to working with different parts of society, including business owners and religious leaders, for a faster uprising.

Even with different ideas, all Sandinista leaders agreed that Sandino showed a way for ordinary Nicaraguans to take control. They saw him as a hero who fought against unfair governments.

An important part of Sandinista ideas was Christian socialism and liberation theology. This meant combining Christian beliefs with social justice and revolutionary ideas. Catholic priests like Ernesto Cardenal even served in the Sandinista government. They believed that fighting for the poor was part of their Christian faith.

How the Government Worked

The FSLN government followed four main ideas based on Carlos Fonseca's understanding of Sandino:

1. Political Pluralism: The FSLN worked with many different groups to defeat the Somoza dictatorship. The new government aimed to include diverse people.
2. Mixed Economy: They believed Nicaragua needed a mix of private and public ownership. They didn't want a purely capitalist or purely socialist system at first. All land owned by the Somoza family was taken by the government.
3. Popular Participation and Mobilization: This meant more than just voting. It involved ordinary people actively participating in building the country's economic, political, and social system.
4. International Non-alignment: Nicaragua wanted to be independent and not take sides with major world powers like the US or the Soviet Union. They wanted to find their own path.

These ideas helped shape how the FSLN governed Nicaragua during the revolutionary years.

Policies and Programs

Foreign Policy

Help from Cuba

Starting in 1967, Cuba began to connect with Nicaraguan revolutionary groups. By 1970, Cuba had trained many Sandinista leaders. After the Sandinistas won in 1979, Cuba's help grew quickly.

Cuba gave Nicaragua military advice and help with education, healthcare, and job training. In return, Nicaragua sent food to Cuba to help with the effects of the US embargo.

Help from Other Countries

Other countries, especially those from the Warsaw Pact (like East Germany), also helped the Sandinista government. For example, East Germany's secret police helped Nicaragua create its own secret police force.

Education

Cuba played a big part in the Nicaraguan Literacy Campaign. Nicaragua had many people who couldn't read or write. The campaign aimed to reduce this number from 50% to 12%. Cuba sent teachers and provided advice. Many Nicaraguan students also studied in Cuba.

1980 Literacy Campaign

The 1980 Literacy Campaign was a major project for the new education system. It aimed to teach people to read and write, and to bring different groups of people together. It also wanted to increase political awareness and participation.

The main book used was called "Dawn of the People." It taught about Sandino and the Sandinista struggle. The campaign also aimed to create new social values like helping others and equality.

Health Care

Before the revolution, health conditions in Nicaragua were very bad. The Sandinistas worked to improve this. By 1983, many babies were vaccinated against diseases like polio and measles. Even with the war, the number of deaths from treatable causes was cut in half.

Cuba also helped a lot with healthcare. Over 1,500 Cuban doctors worked in Nicaragua. They helped get rid of polio and reduce other diseases. This help allowed Nicaragua to have a national healthcare system that reached most of its people.

Vocational Training

Cuba helped train Nicaraguan workers to use new machines. Because the US put an embargo on Nicaragua, the country couldn't get spare parts for US-made machines. So, Nicaragua looked to other countries for help. Cuba was a good choice because they spoke the same language and had similar machines. About 3,000 Nicaraguan workers went to Cuba for training.

Industry and Infrastructure

Cuba also helped Nicaragua with big projects like building roads, power plants, and sugar mills. They tried to build a road linking Nicaragua's Atlantic and Pacific coasts through the jungle. However, the Contra war stopped this project from being finished.

A major achievement was building the Tipitapa-Malacatoya sugar mill. It was opened in 1985 during a visit by Fidel Castro. Cuba also provided technicians to help with sugar harvesting and improve old sugar mills.

Ministry of Culture

After the revolution, the Sandinista government created a Ministry of Culture in 1980. It was led by Ernesto Cardenal, a poet and priest. The goal was to make art and culture available to everyone, not just a small group.

The ministry set up cultural workshops in poor areas. They helped create theater groups, music groups, and new magazines. They also started a Sandinista newspaper called Barricada and a film production unit.

The ministry wanted to celebrate local art forms and encourage people to create. However, some critics felt the ministry controlled artistic freedom too much, especially in poetry workshops.

Economy

The new government aimed to help the poor and working people. They took over land owned by the Somoza family. By 1990, about half of the country's farmland had been given to rural families.

The Sandinistas allowed both public and private businesses. They said that private businesses would be important for rebuilding the country. They also greatly expanded workers' rights, including the right to form unions.

Economic growth was uneven. The economy grew in 1980 and 1981, but then dropped each year from 1984 to 1990. This was due to fewer foreign loans, money being spent on the war, and the US trade embargo. Inflation rose very quickly, especially in 1988.

The government tried to lower inflation, but a hurricane in 1988 caused a lot of damage. The money spent on repairs made inflation worse again.

Despite these problems, the Sandinista government tried to change the economy to help the majority of poor Nicaraguans.

Women in Revolutionary Nicaragua

Women played a very important role before, during, and after the revolution. The Sandinista victory brought many positive changes for women. These included new laws, more educational opportunities, job training, and childcare programs. Women also took on more leadership roles in politics.

The Sandinistas promoted progressive views on gender equality as early as 1969. They wanted to end discrimination against women and create equal opportunities. This was seen as the FSLN started including women in their fighting groups by 1967.

Many women were active in the neighborhood committees (Comités de Defensa Sandinista). By 1987, a significant number of leadership positions in the government and the FSLN were held by women.

After the Sandinistas lost the 1990 election, the situation for women changed. Many working women lost their jobs. Social programs were greatly reduced or stopped, which put more burdens back on women.

However, between 2007 and 2018, under Sandinista governments, Nicaragua improved its ranking in gender equality worldwide, according to the World Economic Forum.

Relationship with the Catholic Church

The relationship between the Catholic Church and the Sandinistas was complicated. At first, the Church supported the Somoza government. But as Somoza became more oppressive, relations worsened.

After Vatican II, a major meeting in the Catholic Church, liberation theology became popular. This idea combined Catholic faith with social justice and revolutionary goals. Many Nicaraguan priests supported this and encouraged their communities to fight against unfair conditions. Priests like Ernesto Cardenal believed that fighting for the poor was a Christian duty. Some churches even became safe houses for revolutionaries.

After the Sandinistas took power, the Church was initially very supportive. They praised the new government and promised to help build a new society, even a socialist one. However, tensions grew over education. The government was accused of making education purely secular, like in Cuba.

Some conservative Catholic priests and journalists criticized the new government. They said the FSLN was trying to use Catholic symbols for political reasons. However, others found that Catholic celebrations were still encouraged by the Sandinistas.

The relationship got worse during the Contra War. The Church leaders often did not speak out against the Contras or US military aid. State media accused the Church of supporting the Contras. At one point, FSLN supporters even shouted down Pope John Paul II during his visit in 1983.

Relations began to improve in 1986. The government allowed a Catholic radio station to broadcast again and let expelled clergy return.

Before their victory in 2006, Daniel Ortega tried to improve relations with the Catholic Church. He became friends with Cardinal Miguel Obando y Bravo, who had been an opponent in the 1980s. Ortega now often refers to the FSLN as "Christian socialist." Despite this, some Catholic clergy outside Nicaragua still criticize the FSLN government.

Concerns about Human Rights

Some reports from the 1980s raised concerns about human rights in Nicaragua under the Sandinistas. Time magazine reported in 1983 that hundreds of people were detained each month, and some disappeared. It also mentioned neighborhood "Defense Committees" that critics said were used to target opponents. The only opposition newspaper, La Prensa, faced strict censorship.

Nicaragua's Permanent Commission on Human Rights reported thousands of murders and disappearances in the early years.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) found in 1981 that some illegal executions happened right after the revolution, when the government was not fully in control. However, the IACHR also stated that the new government did not have a policy of violating the right to life of political enemies.

A 1983 IACHR report also documented concerns about the Miskito indigenous people. These concerns arose after opposition forces entered a Miskito village, leading to a forced relocation program by the government. Allegations included arrests without trial and destruction of property. A 1984 report accused the Sandinistas of executing some Miskitos.

Later IACHR reports in the early 1990s mentioned the discovery of common graves, suggesting mass executions had occurred.

The issue of human rights became very political during this time. The US government was accused of using human rights concerns to justify its policies against the Sandinistas. Some human rights groups, like Human Rights Watch, stated that US reports often exaggerated Sandinista violations and ignored those by the US-supported Contras.

Organizations like Amnesty International and Americas Watch found no evidence that torture was officially allowed by the Nicaraguan authorities, though some prisoners reported harsh conditions. The Red Cross was not always allowed to visit state security detention centers.

US Government Allegations of Supporting Foreign Rebels

The United States State Department accused the Sandinistas of illegally helping rebels in other countries.

They claimed the Sandinistas supported the FMLN rebels in El Salvador by providing safe places, training, weapons, and other supplies. Evidence cited included captured documents and testimonies. El Salvador was in a civil war at the time, and the US was supporting the Salvadoran government.

There were also accusations of Sandinista activities in Honduras, Costa Rica, and Colombia, including military operations in Honduras and Costa Rica.

In 2015, US Senator Mitch McConnell claimed that John Kerry, then Secretary of State, had criticized the Reagan Administration's support for the Contras as supporting terrorism.

During the 1980s, US politician Bernie Sanders supported the Sandinistas and criticized US support for the Contras. He visited Nicaragua during the war.

Symbols

The flag of the FSLN is red on the top half and black on the bottom half, with the letters F S L N in white. It is based on the flag Sandino used in the 1930s. Sandino's flag had red and black stripes with a skull. These colors came from anarchist movements in Mexico that Sandino was involved with.

Recently, there has been a disagreement between the FSLN and another party, the Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS), about using the red and black flag. The MRS says the flag is a symbol of all Sandinismo, not just the FSLN party.

Sandinista Revolution Day is a national holiday in Nicaragua, celebrated every year on July 19.

Presidents from the FSLN

The FSLN has had the following Presidents of Nicaragua:

• Daniel Ortega 1985–1990
• Daniel Ortega 2007–present

Important Sandinistas

• Tomás Borge: One of the FSLN's founders and a leader.
• Ernesto Cardenal: A poet and priest who was Minister of Culture.
• Carlos Fonseca: One of the main founders and thinkers of the FSLN.
• Daniel Ortega: Led the government after the revolution and is the current President.
• Humberto Ortega: Daniel Ortega's brother, a key strategist and Minister of Defense.
• Edén Pastora: A guerrilla leader who joined the Sandinistas but later fought against them.
• Sergio Ramírez: A novelist and Vice President in the 1980s.
• Jaime Wheelock: A leader focused on urban workers and Minister of Agriculture.
• Dora María Téllez: A historian and important figure in the revolution.

Election Results

Presidential Elections

Election	Party candidate	Votes	%	Result
1984	Daniel Ortega	735,967	66.97%	Elected Y
1990		579.886	40.82%	Lost
1996		664,909	37.83%	Lost
2001		922,436	42.28%	Lost
2006		854.316	38.07%	Elected Y
2011		1,569,287	62.46%	Elected Y
2016		1,806,651	72.44%	Elected Y
2021		2,093,834	75.87%	Elected Y

National Assembly Elections

Election	Party leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Position
1984	Daniel Ortega	729,159	66.78%	61 / 96	61	1st
1990		579,723	40.84%	39 / 92	22	2nd
1996		626,178	36.46%	36 / 93	3	2nd
2001		915,417	42.6%	39 / 92	3	2nd
2006		840,851	37.59%	38 / 92	1	1st
2011		1,583,199	60.85%	63 / 92	25	1st
2016		1,590,316	65.86%	70 / 92	7	1st
2021		2,039,717	74.17%	75 / 90	5	1st

Images for kids

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  FSLN logo

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  Flag of the FSLN