Anastasio Somoza Debayle

Anastasio Somoza Debayle was president of Nicaragua between 1967 and 1972, and again between 1974 and 1979; as head of the National Guard, he maintained effective control over the country during the interim period. He was the third member of the Somoza dynasty that exercised dictatorial rule in Nicaragua; one of the triad of dictators in power starting in 1936.

He was the second son of Anastasio Somoza Garcia. The youngest of the Somozas, he was educated in Florida and Long Island before graduating from the West Point Military Academy in 1946. The following year, he was named by his father as head of the National Guard.

After his father's execution in 1956, first-born Luis Somoza Debayle acceded to the presidency. In 1967, soon after of Luis’ death, Anastasio Somoza was elected president for the first time. He left that position in 1972 because of a law that prevented his immediate re-election.

In December of that same year an earthquake desolated Managua, the nation’s capital, leaving more than 10,000 dead and practically destroying the entire city. Martial law was declared, converting Somoza –who was also the head of the National Guard– into the de facto leader of the country. Later it was discovered that the Somoza family had enriched themselves by taking most of the international aid offered in the aftermath of the earthquake.

President Anastasio Somoza was re-elected in the 1974 elections. His interest in continuing in power and repressing the public caused him to lose much support of the oligarchy and the Catholic Church.

From September 1978 until his overthrow on July 17, 1979, he ordered the murder of civil and the bombing of the main cities of Nicaragua which had fallen in hands of the popular rising led by the Sandinistas. Under his bloody dictatorship, the National Guard, commanded by his son Anastasio Somoza Portocarrero, murdered 50,000 Nicaraguans.

In the early morning of July 17, 1979, Somoza escaped to Miami, ending the regime. Anastacio Somoza Debayle was executed the following year while in exile in Asuncion, Paraguay.