A Vote Against Annihilation

MANAGUA —  Thirty-five years ago, the United States destroyed the 10-year-old revolution of Guatemala. On Sunday, the United States destroyed the 10-year-old revolution of Nicaragua.

Let no one believe that Nicaraguans simply voted out the Sandinista government. What they did, actually, was to vote an end to the United States’ campaign to destroy them. The Nicaraguans have shouted the slogan “Aqui no se rinde nadie” for all these 10 years. It means “Here, no one gives up.” Sunday, after 10 years of suffering due to U.S. intervention, they did exactly that.

As one who took part in the destruction of the Guatemalan revolution, I can foretell with some degree of credibility what is inevitable in the future of Nicaragua: As the program of the new government proceeds, Nicaragua becomes a U.S. “client state.” According to the UNO (National Opposition Union), election platform and its promises, the UNO government will begin to dismantle the Sandinista revolution. Although they voted for change, the people of Nicaragua will not tolerate that. It will follow that rebel bands will begin to operate throughout the country, as they do in other U.S. client states. These well-armed groups will begin to take a toll in lives and property that the new government will be unable to control. At that point, in desperation, U.S. military aid will be requested. Aid in the form of arms and ammunition will not be sufficient, for the new government has promised to disband the Sandinista Army. It will then be necessary to request direct assistance by U.S. troops.

The result will be a blood bath of unprecedented proportions. The new president of Nicaragua, a vapid woman of no leadership ability, will be unable to control the country in such a situation.

Thus, the good people of Nicaragua, in voting an end to United States-sponsored destruction, have unknowingly voted a national disaster.