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so·moza

The Somoza family (Spanish: Familia Somoza) is a former political family that ruled Nicaragua for forty-three years from 1936 to 1979. Their family dictatorship was founded by Anastasio Somoza García and was continued by his two sons Luis Somoza Debayle and Anastasio Somoza Debayle. Anastasio Somoza García was the President of Nicaragua from 1937 until 1956. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Luis Somoza Debayle, who held the presidency from 1957 to 1963. The youngest Somoza son, Anastasio Somoza Debayle, held two presidential terms: 1967-1972 and 1974-1979. Although the Somozas did not hold the presidency for the full forty-three years, they continued to rule through puppet presidents and their control of the National Guard.While the Somoza family made advancements towards modernising Nicaragua, their rule was still characterised by repression and inequality. Over four decades, the Somoza family accumulated wealth through corporate bribes, land grabbing and foreign aid siphoning. The family was supported by the United States and the leadership styles of each Somoza president differed.Ultimately, the Somoza family was overthrown by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) during the Nicaraguan Revolution. Widespread discontent with the Somoza regime emerged following the Managua earthquake of 1972. Anastasio Somoza Debayle declared himself the Head of the National Emergency Committee and used his power to participate in looting and the mismanagement of international aid funding. Discomfort increased with the rise of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) and the Somoza government’s human rights violations. Various opposition groups emerged and two key approaches to overthrow the dictatorship became clear. While the Broad Opposition Front (FAO) attempted to reach a solution via negotiation, the FSLN pushed insurrection. When negotiations failed, the insurrection movement gained momentum resulting in the Somoza government's international, political and military isolation. On 17 July 1979, Anastasio Somoza Debayle resigned as President of Nicaragua, marking the end of the Somoza family dictatorship.

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