Adolfo Calero
Encyclopedia
Adolfo Calero Portocarrero (born December 22, 1931) was a Nicaraguan
businessman, and leader of the Nicaraguan Democratic Force
, which was the largest contra
rebel group opposing the Sandinista government. In the contra leadership, Calero was responsible for managing the bank accounts into which money was deposited and then used to buy supplies and arms. He was brought to testify at U.S. Congressional hearings in May 1987.
, graduating from University of Notre Dame
in 1953 and Syracuse University
. In Managua
, he managed the Coca-Cola
bottling plant.University centroamerican (UCA)
Calero was associated with the Conservative Party
. From 1963, he was a CIA
information source. Before the overthrow of the government of Anastasio Somoza
in 1979, he was briefly imprisoned, giving credibility to his claims to have opposed Somoza as well as the Sandinistas.
(FDN). By October he became its president, though many observers wondered about his real power, due to the political wing's weak control over the military wing. In a bid to unify contra factions and win aid from the U.S. Congress, he became a member of the United Nicaraguan Opposition
(UNO) triumvirate with Alfonso Robelo
and Arturo Cruz
.
Calero controlled the FDN through his deputy, Aristides Sánchez
, and the contras' military commander, Enrique Bermúdez
, an alliance so tight that it was dubbed the "Iron Triangle."
However, there were tensions below the surface. After the Sapoa ceasefire, Calero exploited discontent with Bermudez among the FDN's field commanders in an effort to push him out. Heavy-handed intervention by the CIA helped to crush this effort. Later, however, other commanders, with the blessing of the State Department
, ousted both their political and military leadership.
Nicaraguan
Nicaraguans are people inhabiting in, originating or having significant heritage from Nicaragua. Most Nicaraguans live in Nicaragua, although there is also a significant Nicaraguan diaspora, particularly in Costa Rica and the United States with smaller communities in other countries around the world...
businessman, and leader of the Nicaraguan Democratic Force
Nicaraguan Democratic Force
The Nicaraguan Democratic Force was one of the earliest Contra groups, formed on August 11, 1981 in Guatemala City. It was formed to oppose Nicaragua's revolutionary Sandinista government following the 1979 overthrow of Anastasio Somoza Debayle...
, which was the largest contra
Contras
The contras is a label given to the various rebel groups opposing Nicaragua's FSLN Sandinista Junta of National Reconstruction government following the July 1979 overthrow of Anastasio Somoza Debayle's dictatorship...
rebel group opposing the Sandinista government. In the contra leadership, Calero was responsible for managing the bank accounts into which money was deposited and then used to buy supplies and arms. He was brought to testify at U.S. Congressional hearings in May 1987.
Early years
Calero was born in Managua to Adolfo Calero Orozco (1899-1980) and María Portocarrero (1911-1944) who got married in 1927, he was the oldest of four children. He studied in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, graduating from University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
in 1953 and Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
. In Managua
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
, he managed the Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
bottling plant.University centroamerican (UCA)
Calero was associated with the Conservative Party
Conservative Party of Nicaragua
The Conservative Party is a conservative political party in Nicaragua.The party's colour is green and its emblem is a torch of freedom in a circle. Its slogan is “Dios, Orden, Justicia” , often depicted on the three sides of a triangle.-History:The conservative party is the oldest currently...
. From 1963, he was a CIA
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
information source. Before the overthrow of the government of Anastasio Somoza
Anastasio Somoza Debayle
Anastasio Somoza Debayle was a Nicaraguan leader and officially the 73rd and 76th President of Nicaragua from 1 May 1967 to 1 May 1972 and from 1 December 1974 to 17 July 1979. As head of the National Guard, he was de facto ruler of the country from 1967 to 1979...
in 1979, he was briefly imprisoned, giving credibility to his claims to have opposed Somoza as well as the Sandinistas.
Contra leader
In early 1983, he joined the political directorate of the Nicaraguan Democratic ForceNicaraguan Democratic Force
The Nicaraguan Democratic Force was one of the earliest Contra groups, formed on August 11, 1981 in Guatemala City. It was formed to oppose Nicaragua's revolutionary Sandinista government following the 1979 overthrow of Anastasio Somoza Debayle...
(FDN). By October he became its president, though many observers wondered about his real power, due to the political wing's weak control over the military wing. In a bid to unify contra factions and win aid from the U.S. Congress, he became a member of the United Nicaraguan Opposition
United Nicaraguan Opposition
The United Nicaraguan Opposition was a Nicaraguan rebel umbrella group formed in 1985, led by the triumvirate of Adolfo Calero, Alfonso Robelo, and Arturo Cruz...
(UNO) triumvirate with Alfonso Robelo
Alfonso Robelo
Luis Alfonso Robelo Callejas , a Nicaraguan businessman, was the founder of the Nicaraguan Democratic Movement . He was one of the "moderates" on the five-members Junta of National Reconstruction that the Sandinistas claimed would rule Nicaragua following the overthrow of Anastasio Somoza Debayle...
and Arturo Cruz
Arturo Cruz
Arturo José Cruz Porras , sometimes called Arturo Cruz, Sr. to distinguish him from his son, is a Nicaraguan banker and technocrat. He became prominent in politics during the Sandinista era...
.
Calero controlled the FDN through his deputy, Aristides Sánchez
Aristides Sánchez
José Aristides Sánchez Herdocia served as a key political figure among the Nicaraguan Contras. Early on, he joined Enrique Bermúdez in efforts to start a rebel opposition to the new Sandinista government...
, and the contras' military commander, Enrique Bermúdez
Enrique Bermúdez
Enrique Bermúdez Varela was a Nicaraguan who founded and commanded the Nicaraguan Contras. In this capacity, he became a central global figure in one of the most prominent conflicts of the Cold War....
, an alliance so tight that it was dubbed the "Iron Triangle."
However, there were tensions below the surface. After the Sapoa ceasefire, Calero exploited discontent with Bermudez among the FDN's field commanders in an effort to push him out. Heavy-handed intervention by the CIA helped to crush this effort. Later, however, other commanders, with the blessing of the State Department
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
, ousted both their political and military leadership.