Nicaraguan Democratic Force

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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.

[edit] Political leadership

Originally, the head the UDN, José Francisco Cardenal, also assumed political leadership of the new FDN, along with Mariano Mendoza and Aristides Sánchez. However, he alienated both the FDN's military command and its Miami political executive committee, as well as the Argentine advisors. In early December 1982, the triumvirate was replaced by a new political directorate. It included Lucía Cardenal Salazar (widow of Jorge Salazar), Edgar Chamorro, Alfonso Callejas, Indalecio Rodriguez, Marco Zeledon, and Enrique Bermúdez. 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.

[edit] Organization

According to the FDN organizational structure, three squads formed a detachment of about twenty men. Three of these combined to form a group (grupo) 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 in early 1984, the regional commando (or command, comando regional).

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.

[edit] Famous commanders

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 Calderón López. Former Guard lieutenant, 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] Chavarría. 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 Centeno. 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 the MILPAS movement. Originally took the nom de guerre "Culebra" (Serpent), but changed it due to the CIA's public relations concerns. Led the Salvador Perez Regional Commando, and became head of the council of field commanders following the late 1989 reorganization.
• Jhonson - Luis Adán 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.
• Quiché - Juan Ramón Rivas Romero. Former Guard sergeant, Toňo's deputy commander in Task Force Jorge Salazar. He assumed command after Toňo left, leading it as it grew into the FDN's largest force, with five regional commandos. In 1988, Bermúdez selected him to become chief of staff.
• Rigoberto - Tirso Ramón Moreno Aguilar. Cattle merchant from Jinotega, and member of Dimas' MILPAS band. Regional commander of Jorge Salazar I, expelled for supporting the anti-Bermúdez movement in 1988.