Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1967
Luis Somoza Debayle dies, and his younger brother, Anastasio Somoza Debayle, as-
sumes control of the country.
1972
A devastating earthquake hits Managua, killing over 6000 people and leaving 300,000
homeless. Somoza embezzles international relief funds, fomenting support for the
FSLN.
1974
The FSLN kidnaps several members of the Somoza regime, exchanging the hostages
for ransoms and the freeing of political prisoners.
1976
The government responds to FSLN kidnappings and attacks with a brutal crackdown
in which FSLN co-founder Carlos Fonseca is killed.
January 1978
A general strike is declared following the assassination of newspaper editor and So-
moza critic Pedro Joaquín Chamorro. Moderates unsuccessfully attempt to negotiate
an end to the Somoza dictatorship.
August 1978
FSLN occupies the Palacio Nacional, taking over 2000 hostages and securing release
for 60 imprisoned Sandinistas. There are uprisings in many major towns. The Guardia
Nacional responds by shelling cities.
1979
At the end of seven years of guerrilla warfare and 52 days of all-out battles, Sandinis-
tas march on Managua. Anastasio Somoza flees the country on July 17 - the revolu-
tion is victorious.
1980
Ousted dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle is assassinated by Sandinista agents in
Asunción, Paraguay.
1980s
