Somoza - Definition and Overview

Somoza was the name of an influential family dictatorship in Nicaragua.

Three of the Somozas served as President of Nicaragua. They were:

• Anastasio Somoza Garcia (1937-1947, 1950-1956), the father
• Luis Somoza Debayle (1956-1963), his eldest son
• Anastasio Somoza Debayle (1967-1972, 1974-1979), his second eldest son

Less notable members of the Somoza family include:

• Anastasio Somoza Portocarrero, son of Anastasio Somoza Debayle

Anastasio Somoza Debayle was educated at the LaSalle Military Academy on Long Island and then went to college at West Point. President Somoza was president of Nicaragua until he was overthrown by the Sandinistas. While leader of Nicaragua there were human rights abuses. At the time he blamed President James Carter. Somoza's memoirs was called "Betrayed."

External Links

• Somoza's Early Biography (http://www.geocities.com/timmlimm/somoza.htm)