The former head of the Honduran armed forces, General Daniel López Carballo, was also injured.

Traditionally, a collegial board made up of field-grade officers consulted with the commander in the formulation of policy for the Honduran armed forces.

The EPS withdrew into northern Nicaragua without making contact with Honduran forces.

Honduran forces deny the charges.

The role of the Honduran armed forces has changed significantly in recent years as many institutions formerly controlled by the military are now under civilian authority.

Senior officers in the Honduran armed forces contend that their commander misappropriated millions of dollars in military aid sent by the United States.

The Salvadoran, Nicaraguan, Honduran and Guatemalan forces more than doubled in size between 1981 and 1986.

Federal prosecutors in Miami say there is convincing evidence that several top commanders in the Honduran armed forces are also involved in drug smuggling.

The war ended with the defeat of Honduran forces, and Poe returned to Nevada and mining.

In 1986, the White House raised an alarm about a similar Nicaraguan assault and ordered American troops to ferry Honduran forces to the region.