Difference between revisions of "Contras"
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The Contras were a collection of guerilla groups and political parties dubbed "counter-revolutionaries" by the leftist [[Sandinista]] government of [[Nicaragua]] in the 1980s. The [[United States of America|United States]] under Presidents [[Jimmy Carter]] <ref> "After the Sandinistas took power, Carter authorized the CIA to provide financial and other support to their opponents." [http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Blum/Nicaragua_KH.html] </ref> | The Contras were a collection of guerilla groups and political parties dubbed "counter-revolutionaries" by the leftist [[Sandinista]] government of [[Nicaragua]] in the 1980s. The [[United States of America|United States]] under Presidents [[Jimmy Carter]] <ref> "After the Sandinistas took power, Carter authorized the CIA to provide financial and other support to their opponents." [http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Blum/Nicaragua_KH.html] </ref> | ||
| − | and [[Ronald Reagan]] covertly supported the Contras | + | and [[Ronald Reagan]] covertly supported the Contras. |
Revelations of this covert funding fueled the [[Iran-Contra_Affair|Iran-Contra affair]]. [[Oliver North]], who was intimately involved with the funding, is currently a senior correspondent at the [[Fox News Channel]]. | Revelations of this covert funding fueled the [[Iran-Contra_Affair|Iran-Contra affair]]. [[Oliver North]], who was intimately involved with the funding, is currently a senior correspondent at the [[Fox News Channel]]. | ||
Revision as of 13:12, May 21, 2007
The Contras were a collection of guerilla groups and political parties dubbed "counter-revolutionaries" by the leftist Sandinista government of Nicaragua in the 1980s. The United States under Presidents Jimmy Carter [1] and Ronald Reagan covertly supported the Contras.
Revelations of this covert funding fueled the Iran-Contra affair. Oliver North, who was intimately involved with the funding, is currently a senior correspondent at the Fox News Channel.
Opponents of the Contras portrayed them as notorious brutes. According to this portrayal, they regularly destroyed health centers, schools, agricultural cooperatives, and community centers-symbols of the Sandinistas' social programs in rural areas. [1]
Despite their reputation for brutality, the Contras were called the "Moral Equivalent of our Founding Fathers" by President Reagan.
See: Boland amendment.
Sources
- Cuba: State Sponsored Terrorism Nicaragua 1979.
- [[2]]