Nicaragua: Report on Recontra Activity Deborah Tyroler

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9-27-1991 Nicaragua: Report On Recontra Activity Deborah Tyroler

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Recommended Citation Tyroler, Deborah. "Nicaragua: Report On Recontra Activity." (1991). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/noticen/6441

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Latin America Digital Beat (LADB) at UNM Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in NotiCen by an authorized administrator of UNM Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LADB Article Id: 064863 ISSN: 1089-1560 Nicaragua: Report On Recontra Activity by Deborah Tyroler Category/Department: General Published: Friday, September 27, 1991

Sept. 17: Police reported that an indeterminate number of recontras led by "El Campeon" occupied the town of Murra, Nueva Segovia department, and stole weapons from local security guards. Sept. 20: According to police sources, 30 recontras led by "El Campeon" attacked the town of Susucayan, Nueva Segovia. The rebels searched and robbed the homes of local residents, destroyed electricity and telephone lines, and precipitated a shootout at the residence of local army battalion commander Fabio Reyes. No casualties were reported. Sept. 21: Radio Zinica in Bluefields reported that recontras led by "El Matizon" and "Pantera" attacked the police station in Fonseca. One recontra was wounded. The rebels stole three rifles and 35 police uniforms. "El Matizon" and "Pantera" reportedly lead 60 recontras based in Rama. Sept. 23: According to a broadcast by Radio Primerisima, 30 recontras led by "Bolivar" occupied an agricultural cooperative near Esteli, capital of Esteli department. The report said one cooperative member was killed and another injured. In addition, the recontras damaged several homes. Sept. 24: Mario Amador, local Interior Ministry delegate, told reporters that 80 recontras occupied the village of Mulukuku, Zelaya department. According to daily newspaper La Prensa, the recontras demanded the withdrawal of an army battalion stationed at Rio Blanco, and government compliance with pledges to demobilized former contras. The recontras warned they would resort to "other measures" if their demands were not met within 72 hours. Amador also said that 100 recontras were observed blocking the highway to Waslala, Jinotega department. Sept. 25: In Managua, Frank Cesar, the Interior Ministry's official spokesperson, denied that recontras occupied Mulukuku or had blocked the highway outside of Waslala. Cesar attributed acts of violence in the area to "criminals dressed in olive drab masquerading as recontras." In statements to ACAN-EFE, Jorge Rios, president of the organization of former contra political prisoners, charged army Lt. Mario Jarquin with the unprovoked fatal shooting of former contra Jose Palacio Delgado on Sept. 3 in Santa Isabel, Matagalpa department. Next, Rios said former Sandinista soldiers ("recompas") wounded recontra leader Jose Angel Altamirano during a shootout on Sept. 9 in Jinotega department. Finally, on Sept. 22, he added, recontra Luis Altamirano was shot to death by soldiers stationed at the Las Cuchillas military base. He said the incident took place near Abisinia. (Basic data from ACAN-EFE, 09/20/91, 09/23-25/91; AFP, 09/24/91, 09/25/91)

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