Nicaragua-US military relations sour

Issue 

As the radical left-wing Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) looks increasingly likely to win government at the next presidential election, the US has manufactured a crisis in order to force the government to give up its anti-aircraft weapons. The pretext is the discovery (and confiscation) of an anti-aircraft SAM-7 missile held by two civilians, which the US claims indicates that the Nicaraguan military is involved in illicit arms dealing. The Nicaraguan army denies that the missile is from its stocks. However, US embassy official Peter Brennan has called for the army to destroy the SAM-7s it owns. The SAM-7s were first brought into Nicaragua by the US as part of its covert war against the Sandinista-led government in the 1980s. The weapons were only handed to the army following the Sandinista's 1989 electoral defeat. In 2004, under US pressure, Nicaragua's right-wing president agreed to destroy the stock, but was overruled by FSLN-introduced legislation passed by the national assembly.

From Green Left Weekly, February 9, 2005.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.