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War Support
Somoza Garcia supported the US during WWII, which granted them large amounts of funding. Following this, Somoza shifted his now completely controlled and strong economy to produce products useful for the war, which were then mostly sold to the US. However, this created a dependent relationship. According to Wikipedia, Nicaragua used the Lend-Lease policy of the US, allowing the US to use strategic ports. -
Assassination of Sandino
As commander of the National Guard, Somoza ordered the assassination of Sandino, the leader of the guerilla EDSN. This action was an abuse of power, as it was not sanctioned by the president, Sacasa. However, it was necessary for Garcia, as Sandino claimed that the National Guard was unconstitutional due to its link with the US, as well as furthering the demise of Sacasa's rule. According the encyclopedia Britannica, Sandino was abducted and killed during a supposed peace treaty. with Somoza. -
Somoza's Coup
After Somoza's term ran out, he decided not to run for reelection, as his foreign relationships started to decrease his popularity. Somoza suggested the elderly Arguello, as he thought he would be a good puppet, even managing to subvert votes to ensure his victory. However, when it became clear that Arguello was not submissive, they thew a coup to regain power, and the Somoza dynasty continued. According to Wikipedia, Arguello attempted to decrease the National Guard's power before the coup. -
Liberalization
After Somoza Garcia's Death, Luis Somoza Debayle took office, and opened up the country more. He allowed more freedoms which raised hopes for political liberalization. He also restored the ban on election, which he hoped would free up the government more as well. According to encyclopedia Britannica, Somoza attempted to modernize the country as well with economic and social reforms. -
Foreign Favor
Somoza Debayle also improved relationships with the US by altering the constitution to be more anti-communist, and taking an anti-communist stance on Cuba, even offering Caribbean outposts as a base for the Bay of Pigs Invasion. According to encyclopedia Britannica, he was very popular among the people.
