International Encyclopedia of Revolution and Protest

Extract

Tomás Borge was the only founding member of the Nicaraguan Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) to survive the revolutionary process leading to the Nicaraguan Revolution in 1979. As a socialist activist and guerilla commander within the FSLN , he took part in various steps to overthrow the Somoza regime in Nicaragua, including the unification of the popular movement and a nearly 20-year-long guerilla conflict. After the revolution and until his party was deselected in 1990, he was Nicaragua's minister of the interior. After the FSLN was reelected in 2006, he was delegated as the Nicaraguan ambassador to Peru. Borge was born in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, and grew up during the time when Anastasio Somoza García ruled as dictator, relying on the Guardia National (National Guard) to protect his rule. The Somoza dynasty ruled Nicaragua for 43 years, backed strongly by North American governments. Borge met Carlos Fonseca, the later FSLN leader, in Matagalpa, where both started to show their opposition to the dictator. When García was killed by Rigoberto López Pérez, Borge was taking part in a student resistance organzation in León. As Borge was accused of involvement and of covering up the assassination, he was condemned to nine years' imprisonment. In 1959, a student campaign for the liberation of political prisoners led to the change of Borge's jail sentence into house arrest. ... log in or subscribe to read full text