Nicaraguan Democratic Force
The
Nicaraguan Democratic Force (
Fuerza Democrática Nicaragüense, or
FDN) was one of the earliest
Contra groups, formed in August
1981 in
Guatemala City. It was formed to oppose Nicaragua's revolutionary
Sandinista government following the
1979 overthrow of
Anastasio Somoza Debayle. It merged the 15th of September Legion, which comprised mostly former members of Somoza's
National Guard, with the Nicaraguan Democratic Union, an
émigré organization. The FDN was under the command of former National Guard colonel
Enrique Bermúdez. The FDN was heavily backed by the
Central Intelligence Agency and the
Reagan administration.
Originally, the head the UDN, José Francisco Cardenal, also assumed political leadership of the new FDN. However, in early December 1982, he was replaced by a new political directorate. In February 1983,
Adolfo Calero left Nicaragua and became the leader of the directorate. However, it was always in question how much control the political wing truly had over the military forces.
According to the FDN organizational structure, three squads formed a unit of about twenty men. Three of these combined to form a group of around sixty men. In practice, losses, recruitment, and other factors could change these figures. Varying numbers of groups would be put under a task force (fuerza de tarea).
As task forces swelled in size, a new level of organization was created, the regional commando (or command).
Three regional commandos grew into operational commandos: the Jorge Salazar (widely regarded as the FDN's best troops), Diriangén, and Rafaela Herrera. However, the commanders of the latter two were crippled during the war and unable to take the field, and in 1986 their component regional commandos became independent, leaving the Jorge Salazar as the sole operational commando.
These are some of the FDN's better-known
comandantes:
*
Suicida - Pedro Pablo Ortiz Centeno. Former Guard sergeant, operated in the
Jalapa area. Legendary for his eagerness for battle, but many believe that he never fully made the transition from conventional to guerrilla warfare. Went into virtual mutiny in the fall of 1983, and was executed.
*
Franklin (Franklyn) - Israel Galeano Cornejo. Regional commander in the Jorge Salazar, considered perhaps the FDN's best commander. Supporter of Tigrillo's pre-FDN band. Helped to lead the late 1989 ouster of Bermúdez and the political leadership.
*
Toño - Walter Calderon Lopez. Former Guardsman, first commander of the Jorge Salazar, later led the Tactical Operations Command. Expelled after supporting a bid to oust Bermúdez in 1988.
*
Mike Lima - Luis Moreno Payan. Ex-Guard lieutenant, commander of the Diriangén. Known for the capture of
Pantasma in 1983.
*
Tigrillo - Encarnación Valdivia (Baldivia) Chavarria. Ex-Sandinista, already leading a ragged guerrilla band before joining the FDN. Commander of the Rafaela Herrera, roaming
Jinotega Department. A charismatic leader, credited with recruiting thousands into the FDN.
*
Mack - José Benito Bravo. Former Guardsman, commander of the Nicarao Regional Commando, operating in the
Ocotal area. Gained a reputation for abuses, coupled with mediocre combat performance.
*
Rubén - Oscar Manuel Sobalvarro García. Surviving member of Dimas' MILPAS band. Originally took the nom de guerre "Culebra" (Serpent), but changed it due to the CIA's public relations concerns. Became head of the council of field commanders following the late 1989 reorganization.
*
Jhonson - Luis Fley González. Former Sandinista and early member of Tigrillo's band. After serving in the Special Operations Command, he founded the 15th of September Regional Commando, in
Matagalpa Department's
Pancasán region.
