Somoza family

Updated on Oct 13, 2024

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Capital Managua Government Military dictatorship Disestablished July 17, 1979		Languages Spanish Historical era Cold War Currency Nicaraguan córdoba

The Somoza family was an influential political dynasty who ruled Nicaragua as a family dictatorship from 1936 to 1979.

History

Anastasio Somoza Garcia was the first president who won the presidential election and took over the country. Although they only held the presidency for 30 of those 43 years, they were the power behind the other presidents of the time through their control of the National Guard. Their regime was overthrown by the Sandinista National Liberation Front during the Nicaraguan Revolution.

Three of the Somozas served as President of Nicaragua. They were:

Anastasio Somoza García (1896–1956; ruled 1937–1947, 1950–1956), the father.

Luis Somoza Debayle (1922–1967, ruled 1956–1963), his legitimate eldest son.

Anastasio Somoza Debayle (1925–1980, ruled 1967–1972, 1974–1979), his second legitimate son.

Other members of the Somoza family include:

Lillian Somoza Debayle

Hope Portocarrero, wife of Anastasio Somoza Debayle

Anastasio Somoza Portocarrero, son of Anastasio Somoza Debayle

Bernabé Somoza, a 19th-century rebel

Anastasia Somoza, a 21st-century disability rights advocate who spoke on July 25, 2016, at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in support of Hillary Clinton

References

Somoza family Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA