Somoza

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Somoza was the name of an influential political dynasty in Nicaragua. Their influence exceeded their combined 43 years in the presidency, as they were the power behind the other presidents of the time. They ultimately fell to a revolution led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front.

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 eldest son
• Anastasio Somoza Debayle (1925–1980, ruled 1967–1972, 1974–1979), his second son. Anastasio was on the throne for the fall of the Somozas and is credited as being the most brutal of all three of the dictators

Less notable members of the Somoza family include:

• Hope Portocarrero, wife of Anastasio Somoza Debayle
• Anastasio Somoza Portocarrero, son of Anastasio Somoza Debayle
• Bernabé Somoza, a 19th-century rebel