Pan-Latin American anti-imperialist hero who waged guerrilla war against US occupation of Nicaragua
“Let it not be permitted that the hands of traitors or invaders shall profane his remains.” — Sandino, 1927
Nicaraguan revolutionary and guerrilla leader. From 1927 to 1933, he led the Army in Defense of National Sovereignty (EDSN) against the US military occupation, becoming a symbol of anti-imperialist resistance throughout Latin America. Assassinated in 1934 by the US-trained National Guard under Anastasio Somoza, his legacy inspired the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), founded in 1961, which overthrew the Somoza dictatorship in 1979.
Career timeline
1912Witnessed US intervention and General Zeledón's death — anti-imperialist consciousness formed
1921–1926Exile in Mexico — worked at Standard Oil refinery, exposed to Mexican revolutionary ideas
1926–1927Returned to Nicaragua — raised a militia of gold miners, joined the Constitutionalist War
1927.7Rejected the Espino Negro accord — launched guerrilla war against the US with the San Albino Manifesto
1927–1933Generalissimo of the EDSN — led six-year guerrilla campaign against US Marines
1929–1930Exile in Mexico — joined the EMECU spiritualist commune, sought Pan-American anti-imperialist solidarity
1933Peace accord with President Sacasa after US withdrawal — agreed to disarm
1934.2.21Arrested and executed by the National Guard after presidential palace talks — body never found
Pan-Latin American anti-imperialist hero who waged guerrilla war against US occupation of Nicaragua
“Let it not be permitted that the hands of traitors or invaders shall profane his remains.” — Sandino, 1927
Nicaraguan revolutionary and guerrilla leader. From 1927 to 1933, he led the Army in Defense of National Sovereignty (EDSN) against the US military occupation, becoming a symbol of anti-imperialist resistance throughout Latin America. Assassinated in 1934 by the US-trained National Guard under Anastasio Somoza, his legacy inspired the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), founded in 1961, which overthrew the Somoza dictatorship in 1979.
Career timeline
1912Witnessed US intervention and General Zeledón's death — anti-imperialist consciousness formed
1921–1926Exile in Mexico — worked at Standard Oil refinery, exposed to Mexican revolutionary ideas
1926–1927Returned to Nicaragua — raised a militia of gold miners, joined the Constitutionalist War
1927.7Rejected the Espino Negro accord — launched guerrilla war against the US with the San Albino Manifesto
1927–1933Generalissimo of the EDSN — led six-year guerrilla campaign against US Marines
1929–1930Exile in Mexico — joined the EMECU spiritualist commune, sought Pan-American anti-imperialist solidarity
1933Peace accord with President Sacasa after US withdrawal — agreed to disarm
1934.2.21Arrested and executed by the National Guard after presidential palace talks — body never found
