arian government in Nicaragua, fixing the elections so power remains in the family. Throughout this 40 year period, several minor insurrections are staged by the newly founded Sandinista National Liberation Front. These are easily put down by the military regime, until 1979.Throughout this period of relative peace in Nicaragua, many dominos are being set up around them throughout Central America. In 1959, Castro controls Cuba and the US begins to worry about the communist influence in Latin America. In 1972, corruption really starts to eat away at the Somoza regime and it is clear a power struggle is looming. Without US intervention, the Sandinistas launch their major offensive in 1979 and force Somoza into exile. Shortly thereafter, Ronald Reagan is elected in the US and he puts fighting communism a the top of his priority list. Reagan uses this motive to launch covert anti-Sandinista operations in Nicaragua as well as plant seeds of revolution in other communist countries throughout Latin America. In 1983, the US officially invaded Grenada and the US began restoring a government they deemed fit to rule the country.Since that time, the US has been deeply involved in the Nicaraguan political processes to ensure a capitalistic society is maintained. The American government claims its assistance is focused on “strengthening democratic institutions, stimulating sustainable economic growth, and supporting the health and basic education sectors.” Other goals are stated as improving human rights conditions, the development of a free market economy and ensuring civilian control over defense and security as well as reforming the judicial system. In the last few years, some semblance of order has been restored to the democratic process. In the 1996 election, a former Sandinista general ran and appeared to lead an aboveground campaign promising a peaceful future....
