By Brian Carnell

Thursday, July 22, 2004

Nicaragua this week marked the 25th anniversary of the Sandinista overthrow of dictator Gen. Anastasio Somoza.

The BBC reports that about 1,000 people attended a reconciliation ceremony in Managua which featured members of the current government, members of the Sandinistas, and clergy in the Managua cathedral.

Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega had publicly asked for forgiveness from the Roman Catholic Church for "old offences" and Cardinal Miguel Obando Bravo obliged him with a mass for peace and reconciliation that honored the tens of thousands of people who died on all sides during the Nicaragua civil wars of the 1970s and 1980s.

At ceremony in Managua's central square which drew an estimated 400,000 people, the Sandinistas awarded Fidel Castro the Order and Medal Always Towards the Light, Towards the Truth in thanks for the role that Cuba played in helping the Sandinistas topple the Somoza regime.

Sources:

Nicaraguan cardinal forgives Sandinistas at 25th anniversary Mass. Associated Press, July 19, 2004.

Sandinista Says Cardinal Deserves Noble Prize. Zenit News Service, July 4, 2004.

Sandinista's mark ouster of dictator. Borneo Bulletin, July 20, 2004.

Anniversary in Nicaragua. La Prensa, July 22, 2004.

FSLN Decorates Fidel Castro with 25 Years of Revolution Order. Adelante.CU, July 20, 2004.

Sandinistas remember their revolt. The BBC, July 19, 2004.

Discuss (0 Replies) | Printer Friendly