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Daniel Kovalik

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Nicaragua: A History of US Intervention & Resistance Paperback – January 15, 2023

by Daniel Kovalik (Author)

4.5 13 ratings

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This book explores the pernicious nature of US engagement with Nicaragua from the mid-19th century to the present in pursuit of control and domination rather than in defense of democracy as it has incessantly claimed. In turn, Nicaraguans have valiantly defended their homeland, preventing the US from ever maintaining its control for long.

While there were intermittent US forays into Nicaragua in the 1850s, sustained intervention in Nicaragua only began in 1911 when the US invaded Nicaragua to put a halt to a canal project connecting its Atlantic and Pacific coasts to be partnered with Japan – a project the US wanted to control for itself.

The US Marines subsequently invaded Nicaragua a number of times between 1911 and 1934 to try to maintain control over it, only to be repelled by peasant guerillas led by Augusto Cesar Sandino. The Marines left for good only after the US had set up the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza, who then lured Sandino to Managua on the promise of a peace deal and murdered him in cold blood.

Successive generations of Somozas would rule Nicaragua with an iron hand and critical US support until finally, in 1979, the latest iteration was ousted by the Sandinistas – a movement inspired by Sandino and motivated by a unique philosophy merging Christianity and Marxism.

Led by Daniel Ortega, the Sandinistas established democracy in Nicaragua with the country’s first free and fair elections in 1984. Once again, the US attempted to subvert democracy by organizing Somoza’s former National Guardsmen into a terrorist group known as the Contras. Directed and funded by the CIA, the Contras would terrorize Nicaragua for nearly 10 years.

In 1990, the Sandinistas stood for early election and the war-weary voters selected Violeta Chamorro. The Sandinistas relinquished office peacefully stepped, ceding the government to Chamorro.

For 17 long years, from 1990 to 2007, neo-liberal governments, beginning with Violetta Chamorro, governed Nicaragua. Backed by the US, these governments neglected the people, leaving almost half of the country un-electrified, without decent education or health care, and in poverty.

When Daniel Ortega and the Sandinistas returned to power in 2007 through elections, they immediately established free health care and education, built infrastructure throughout the country, and began to eradicate poverty. Now, almost 100% of the country is electrified; poverty and extreme poverty have been greatly diminished.t

Print length

332 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Clarity Press
Publication date

January 15, 2023
Dimensions

6 x 0.75 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

1949762602
ISBN-13

978-1949762600
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Professor Kovalik sweeps away fake news and fake history disseminated by the mainstream media concerning Nicaragua, documenting a gruesome history of US interventionism and crimes in Nicaragua. Highlighting the achievements of the Sandinistas in the field of human rights and social justice, he refutes US caricatures and denounces CIA attempts to destabilize Nicaragua to facilitate undemocratic 'regime change'." ALFRED DE ZAYAS, UN Independent Expert for the promotion of an international democratic and equitable order

"Kovalik demolishes the dominant Western narrative. He shares the hard-won gains of today’s Nicaragua, explains Daniel Ortega’s enduring popularity and powerfully defends why the Sandinistas are deserving of our continued solidarity. This book is must-read to understand Nicaragua in the 21st century and fills a stark gap in contemporary Latin American Studies. May it lead to further study in situ and less arm-chair pontificating by politicians and intellectuals." -- SOFIA M. CLARK, Professor of Political Science, UNAN-Managua.

“Daniel Kovalik, international human rights attorney, who has been visiting Nicaragua since 1987, has provided a clearly written and well-documented (453 Endnotes) factual account of an honest history of Nicaragua from the 1850s to the present in less than 180 pages. By reading this account, the reader will be well versed to contradict the constant lies presented to the public by the incredibly controlled corporate and Silicon Valley news media. Hats off to Mr. Kovalik, for setting the record straight.” S. BRIAN WILLSON, lawyer, author of Don’t Thank Me For My Service, resident of Nicaragua

"Dan Kovalick's book, "Nicaragua: A History of U.S. Intervention & Resistance", sheds light on how the history of U.S. interventions has shaped the destiny of the Nicaraguan people, a destiny of unyielding commitment to freedom and independence. Kovalick's analysis shows how the current dirty war against President Daniel Ortega uses the same covert techniques and unethical practices deployed numerous times by the U.S. government during the last 150 years, from the bloodshed imposed by the Monroe Doctrine to the Contra scandal under Reagan.
The recent imposition by the U.S. of economic sanctions and the funding of violent insurrection against the Sandinista government has done serious damage to programs aimed at decreasing poverty, maintaining food independence and providing social services for millions of Nicaraguans. In that sense, Kovalick provides an accurate portrayal of the abuses of a super power against one of the poorest nations in the Americas, still fighting until this day to defend the dignity and wellbeing of its people.
Kovalik's book, written from the perspective of someone who has been visiting the country for decades and immersing himself in the Nicaraguan reality of daily life, is a refreshing reminder that it is still possible to write truthfully about history." --Patricio Zamorano, Director of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs, COHA.org

"The book is valuable and is immensely appealing, not least because Kovalik seems to speak directly to the reader. He makes effective use of extended quotations from various reports, other histories, analyses from international agencies, and commentary from participants." W.H. Whitney, Counterpunch.org

"Told in an engaging and persuasive way, this book presents the history of a small nation that has resisted continual efforts to dominate and control it. It is truly a David vs Goliath tale. Anyone interested in Latin American history or US foreign policy should add this book to their reading list." RICK STERLING, Latino Americano and the Third World

"Dan Kovalik’s book, Nicaragua: A History of US Intervention & Resistance shows that the pretexts for the Biden administration’s sanctions―tied to a regime-change operation―are a sham that follows a shameful history of U.S. intervention in Nicaragua." JEREMY KUZMAROV, Covert Action Magazine

“Four decades ago, as Ronald Reagan mobilized former soldiers of the Somoza dictatorship to strangle the Sandinista Revolution, there was a flood of support and solidarity for what many considered an amazing social experiment. I lived in Nicaragua during the late 1980s, and witnessed how the Sandinistas were able to lead a transformation of one of the poorest countries in Latin America. So did Daniel Kovalik, whose new book tells the story dramatically and beautifully.” DEE KNIGHT , Hollywood Progressive

Dan Kovalik's book Nicaragua: A History of US Intervention & Resistance is a wonderful book matching being well written with important details in the modern history of Nicaragua, including the attempted coup in 2018."
ANDREW MILLS, author, Reporting for Duty

About the Author

Dan Kovalik graduated from Columbia Law School in 1993, and currently teaches International Human Rights at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He served as in-house counsel for the United Steelworkers for 26 years. He has written extensively on the issue of international human rights and U.S. foreign policy for the Huffington Post, Counterpunch and RT News, and has lectured throughout the world on these subjects. He is the author of several books, including The Plot to Overthrow Venezuela, How the US Is Orchestrating a Coup for Oil, which includes a Foreword by Oliver Stone.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

How did I become interested in Nicaragua and why does it matter so much to me that I have now written a book about it? In the 1980s, very few would ask such a question, because in 1979, Nicaragua, and the Sandinista Revolution were big topics in conversation and even a subject of popular culture. The Clash’s last album was entitled, “Sandinista.” The Rolling Stones had a song about the Sandinista Revolution on their album “Emotional Rescue” entitled, “Indian Girl,” which mentions the pitched battles in the town of Masaya between the guerillas and Somoza’s National Guard. There was also a popular film starring Nick Nolte and Gene Hackman about the Sandinista Revolution, entitled Under Fire. Now those days are long gone, and for many are a distant memory – if they ever knew about that at all.
My first encounter with Nicaragua and the Sandinista Revolution was in the Fall of 1979. I was eleven years old and attending a small Catholic junior high school, St. Andrew’s, in Milford, Ohio, a small town outside Cincinnati. At the start of the school year, two new students enrolled: Juan and Carlos Garcia. They were from Nicaragua but, as I would come to understand later, did not fit the usual profile of a Nicaraguan, at least in the 1970s. They were very big – both in height and weight. Juan, who was in my class, eventually played center on our basketball team. And they both spoke English very well.
At one point, I asked Juan what brought him to Milford to attend school. He told me that he had left his home country of Nicaragua because there was a revolution over the summer which had toppled his father who was president at the time of the revolt. Apparently, Juan and Carlos were the sons of the dictator, Anastasio Somoza, though that name meant nothing to me. I didn’t understand then what had taken place in Nicaragua with the revolution or what was taking place even at that time, but the story of the toppling of a government which caused these two boys to flee their country created a lasting impression on me, igniting a lasting curiosity about Nicaragua and Central America – a region which would be in the news almost daily for the next decade.
Meanwhile, Somoza would soon be gunned down in Uruguay by Argentine revolutionaries, and just as suddenly as they appeared in my school, Juan and Carlos left at the end of the year. I never heard from them again.
The other world event that impacted me greatly at this time was the murder of Archbishop Oscar Romero

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarity Press (January 15, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 332 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1949762602
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1949762600
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.75 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,471,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #49 in Nicaragua History
- #927 in Caribbean & Latin American Politics
- #5,906 in History & Theory of Politics

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gilda morkert-peace activist

Brilliant and astounding

Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2023

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Dan Kovalik first captured my attention as an author that I befriended. He is one of the most trusted truthtellers. It is with pleasure and respect that I tell you, I have followed his journeys for the last four years as he attends elections as an observer and also as a friend of all in the Sandinista community. This book takes you on his journey of discovery of what has really gone on in Nicaragua and as a International Human Rights attorney, he would be the last to approve the mistreatment of any peoples anywhere across the globe. That is why I can tell you that Dan knows exactly what is and has gone on in Nicaragua and what drove him to become the upstanding activist he is today. He truly cares about people and always has. This book is the history of the Sandinista Revolution, and all that went on as told to him by the citizens of Nicaragua. It is also about the hateful controlling sanctions the US has imposed and how it has affected the country yet made it more self-sustaining. Dan is one of the best nonfiction writers because of his own travels and his personal beliefs in justice and humanity. Great read to enjoy.

3 people found this helpful

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Roger Harris

Perceptive insight into the historical and current Nicaraguan political reality

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2023

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Legal expert and human rights advocate Dan Kovalik explains how the US has never supported democracy in Nicaragua. He traces the history from the US Marines landing in 1912 and occupying the Central American country on and off until the Somoza dynasty dictatorship replaced direct US control. To this day, the US has opposed the democratically elected Sandinista government.

Kovalik teaches International Human Rights at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and has done extensive on the ground research in Nicaragua.

One person found this helpful

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The Countess

Insightful

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2023

Insightful details that I would not say is glorifying communism but rather one countrys fight for their own autonomy without assistance from the USA. The book is well researched.

Whether you believe in communism and capitalism, each one has their advantages and disadvantages, who are we to say they are wrong for their choices. But we should stay out of it.

That being said, I found the book insightful with details and viewpoints.

I actually received this book, the printed version for free.

2 people found this helpful

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Jonah

A well researched amazing book

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2023

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This book does a great job explaining the history of Nicaragua and how it leads to the present. It also does a great job of putting current events in perspective. Lastly it highlights some of the great strides the Sandanistas have made since 2006.

2 people found this helpful

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Tye

Well-Sourced and Up-to-date

Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2023

The best book on recent Nicaraguan history from the perspective of the popular Sandanistas. Well sourced, and includes a large section on the insurrection in 2018. This book gives plenty of evidence why the FSLN led by Daniel Ortega is the best path forward for Nicaragua

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Samuel Clemmins

Excellent writing based on personal experience and well documented sources

Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2023

As someone who has been interested in Nicaragua and have traveled there many times over the years, I found this book to be right on target. Nicaragua provides an example to the world that we need to look at. They have fought poverty and injustice, struggled to adapt to climate change which they contributed little to, and they continue to protect their environment. But, sadly they have also been under constant threat, military action, and sanctions from the US government. You can't learn about Nicaragua by Googling it as the media is replete with lies. So, to learn about Nicaragua you have to constantly consider how the source can know what they say is true. What can you believe? The narrative in the mainstream press is seldom referenced and usually spins opinion or unsubstantiated rumors as fact ignoring all the verifiable facts that could be reported. This book does just the opposite. Everyone should learn this history, and this book provides just what you need to do so whether are you are new to the topic of Nicaragua or just starting out.

4 people found this helpful

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Astrid Morales

Communist Propaganda

Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2023

I was born and lived in Nicaragua up my adulthood, and nothing in this book is close to the real story, this more like a communist propaganda to blame another for the mediocrity of the Sandinistas who have brought Nicaragua to ashes since they rise in power in the mid 79.

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

monimbo

Really shows how Nicaragua resists US intervention

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2023

Verified Purchase

Dan Kovalik’s love for Nicaragua is very evident from this book. And this is very important in the telling of his story, as he does so from a perspective shared by many of those who first knew the country and its revolution in the heady years after 1979. Whatever one’s views on how the revolution has developed since (and Kovalik and I share very similar positions on this), that initial love for Nicaragua, its people and its revolution stamp the book with a perspective that is very different from any cold analysis by (say) a political scientist.

This is not to say that the book is uncritical or that it skates around the issues and problems that have faced the revolution over the 44 years of its development. But it does ground his analysis in the inescapable facts that, unlike any other mainland Latin American country, and especially unlike its near neighbors, Nicaragua has both established a revolutionary government and, with some exceptional periods, resisted the attempts by the United States to put the revolution into reverse.

Indeed, Dan reminds us that the history of Nicaragua, dating almost back to its independence from Spain in 1821, is one of resistance to repeated attempts by US governments and private enterprise to have their will with Nicaragua, attempts connived in – right up to the present day – by many of Nicaragua’s own elite.

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