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CELEBRATIONS will take place in Managua today to mark the 39th anniversary of Nicaragua’s Sandinista revolution and the effective defeat of a right-wing coup attempt.
Hundreds of thousands from across the country are expected in the capital to celebrate the Sandinistas’ historic defeat of the Somoza dictatorship in 1979.
The revolution, led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), brought to an end more than four decades of brutal rule by a regime — which the United States supported until the bitter end and then armed and funded right-wing Contra terrorists.
As crowds gather in Managua they will also celebrate the “vindication” of President Daniel Ortega’s peace efforts in the face of a coup attempt by armed right-wing opposition groups.
A government offensive is underway, dismantling roadblocks that have damaged the Nicaraguan economy and been used to launch attacks against Sandinista supporters and the police.
The coup attempt began on April 18 following protests over pension reforms.
Mr Ortega announced a national dialogue backed by most layers of Nicaraguan society including trade unions and the country’s official student body.
Despite this, opposition groups continued to wage violent attacks, demanding the resignation of Mr Ortega. On Sunday an arsenal of weapons, including bomb-making equipment and home-made mortars, was found at the occupied National Autonomous University of Nicaragua.
Fearing potential attacks on today’s celebrations, critics warned that international organisations have sided with the coup-plotters.
They accused Amnesty International and “fellow coup apologists” such as Bianca Jagger and SOS Nicaragua, along with media organisations including the Guardian, BBC, Telegraph, Washington Post, New York Times, Al Jazeera and CNN of covering up human rights violations committed by opposition activists trying to oust Nicaragua’s legitimate government.