Controversy over Nicaragua Reagan Doctrine

historian greg grandin described disjuncture between official ideals preached united states , actual u.s. support terrorism. “nicaragua, united states backed not counter insurgent state anti-communist mercenaries, likewise represented disjuncture between idealism used justify u.s. policy , support political terrorism...the corollary idealism embraced republicans in realm of diplomatic public policy debate political terror. in dirtiest of latin america’s dirty wars, faith in america’s mission justified atrocities in name of liberty”. grandin examined behaviour of u.s.-backed contras , found evidence particularly inhumane , vicious: in nicaragua, u.s.-backed contras decapitated, castrated, , otherwise mutilated civilians , foreign aid workers. earned reputation using spoons gorge victims eye’s out. in 1 raid, contras cut breasts of civilian defender pieces , ripped flesh off bones of another.”

professor frederick h. gareau has written contras attacked bridges, electric generators, state-owned agricultural cooperatives, rural health clinics, villages, , non-combatants . u.s. agents directly involved in fighting. cia commandos launched series of sabotage raids on nicaraguan port facilities. mined country s major ports , set fire largest oil storage facilities. in 1984 u.s. congress ordered intervention stopped; however, later shown reagan administration illegally continued (see iran-contra affair). gareau has characterized these acts wholesale terrorism united states.

a cia manual training nicaraguan contras in psychological operations, leaked media in 1984, entitled psychological operations in guerrilla war . recommended “selective use of violence propagandistic effects” , “neutralize” government officials. nicaraguan contras taught lead:

...selective use of armed force psyop psychological operations effect.... selected, planned targets – judges, police officials, tax collectors, etc. – may removed psyop effect in uwoa unconventional warfare operations area, extensive precautions must insure people “concur” in such act thorough explanatory canvassing among affected populace before , after conduct of mission.

similarly, former diplomat clara nieto, in book masters of war, charged cia launched series of terrorist actions mothership off nicaragua s coast. in september 1983, charged agency attacked puerto sandino rockets. following month, frogmen blew underwater oil pipeline in same port – 1 in country. in october there attack on puerto corinto, nicaragua s largest port, mortars, rockets, , grenades blowing 5 large oil , gasoline storage tanks. more hundred people wounded, , fierce fire, not brought under control 2 days, forced evacuation of 23,000 people.

the international court of justice, when judging case of nicaragua v. united states in 1984, found united states obligated pay reparations nicaragua, because had violated international law actively supporting contras in rebellion , mining naval waters of nicaragua. united states refused participate in proceedings after court rejected argument icj lacked jurisdiction hear case. u.s. later blocked enforcement of judgment exercising veto power in united nations security council , prevented nicaragua obtaining actual compensation.