MILPAS
Encyclopedia
The acronym MILPAS originally stood for , fighting alongside the Sandinista National Liberation Front
against the regime of Anastasio Somoza Debayle
. However, after his overthrow, some disaffected MILPAS veterans revived it as the , one of the earliest rebel groups that would form the contra
movement.
and MAP-ML. In rural areas, they fought in the north with Germán Pomares, "El Danto."
The earliest contras
inside Nicaragua were the MILPAS (Milicias Populares Anti-Sandinistas), peasant militias led by disillusioned Sandinistas. Founded by Pedro Joaquín González, whose nom de guerre was "Dimas", the Contra Milpistas were also known as chilotes (green corn). Even after his death, other MILPAS bands sprouted during 1980-1981. The Milpistas were composed largely of the campesino highlanders and rural workers who would later form the rank and file of the rebellion.
The MILPAS assimilated into the Nicaraguan Democratic Force
(FDN). By 1985, most of the FDN's regional commands were headed by MILPAS veterans. By late 1987, the ranks of ex-MILPAS regional commanders included:
Sandinista National Liberation Front
The Sandinista National Liberation Front is a socialist political party in Nicaragua. Its members are called Sandinistas in both English and Spanish...
against the regime of Anastasio Somoza Debayle
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...
. However, after his overthrow, some disaffected MILPAS veterans revived it as the , one of the earliest rebel groups that would form the 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...
movement.
History
In urban areas, the MILPAS was associated with the Frente ObreroFrente Obrero
Frente Obrero , a national trade union centre in Nicaragua. FO was founded circa 1972-74, as the trade union wing of the pro-Albanian MAP-ML....
and MAP-ML. In rural areas, they fought in the north with Germán Pomares, "El Danto."
The earliest contras
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...
inside Nicaragua were the MILPAS (Milicias Populares Anti-Sandinistas), peasant militias led by disillusioned Sandinistas. Founded by Pedro Joaquín González, whose nom de guerre was "Dimas", the Contra Milpistas were also known as chilotes (green corn). Even after his death, other MILPAS bands sprouted during 1980-1981. The Milpistas were composed largely of the campesino highlanders and rural workers who would later form the rank and file of the rebellion.
The MILPAS assimilated into 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...
(FDN). By 1985, most of the FDN's regional commands were headed by MILPAS veterans. By late 1987, the ranks of ex-MILPAS regional commanders included:
| Encarnación Valdivia (Baldivia) Chavarria, "Tigrillo" | Rafaela Herrera Rafaela Herrera Rafaela de Herrera y Torreynosa was the daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Don José de Herrera y Sotomayor . She is considered a national heroine of Nicaragua, due to her actions in the defense of the Fortress of the Immaculate Conception during the Battle for the Río San Juan de Nicaragua in... Regional Command |
| Francisco Valdivia (Baldivia) Chavarria, "Dimas Tigrillo" | Andrés Castro Regional Command |
| José Danilo Galeano Rodas, "Tiro Al Blanco" | Juan Castro Castro Regional Command |
| Abelardo Zelaya Chavarria, "Ivan" | Alonso Irias Regional Command |
| Oscar Manuel Sobalvarro García, "Rubén" | Salvador Perez Regional Command |
| Anroyce "Rudy" Zelaya Zeledon, "Douglas" | Pedro Joaquín González Regional Command |
| Justo Pastor Meza Aguilar, "Denis" | Santiago Meza Regional Command |
| Fremio Isabel Altamirano Montenegro, "Jimmy Leo" ("Jimileo") | Larry McDonald Regional Command |
| Tirso (Tirzo) Ramón Moreno Aguilar, "Rigoberto" | Jorge Salazar I Regional Command |
| Israel Galeano Cornejo, "Franklin" ("Franklyn") | Jorge Salazar II Regional Command |
| Diógenes Hernández Membreño, "Fernando" | Jorge Salazar III Regional Command |
| Antonio Chavarria Rodríguez, "Dumas" | Jorge Salazar V Regional Command |
| Luis Adán Fley González, "Jhonson" | 15th of September Regional Command |
| Freddy Montenegro Gadea Zeledon, "Coral" | Quilalí Regional Command |