In the late 1970s, international pressure mounted against the Somoza government because of its state terrorism and repression.
Estelí was the scene of heavy fighting in the civil war against the Somoza government from 1978 to 1979.
Sandino led a peasant insurgence against the first Somoza government in the 1930s under the Liberal Party banner.
The Somoza government refused to return Araceli's (who was Mexican) remains to her family.
Argüello was exiled by the Somoza government in August 1969 for his anti-regime activities.
By the late 1970s, human rights groups were condemning the record of the Somoza government, while support for the Sandinistas was growing inside and outside the country.
The Somoza government responded with further censorship, intimidation, torture, and murder.
At the age of 19, Mr. Lewites joined the rebellion against the dynastic Somoza government.
Some took to the hills to join the Sandinista guerrillas who were fomenting revolution against the Somoza government.
Chamorro became a martyr, and his death helped ignite widespread opposition to the Somoza government.