PRESIDENT ANASTASIO SOMOZA (NICARAGUA) - DOCUMENT SIGNED 11/02/1934 - HFSID 269150

ANASTASIO SOMOZA GARCIA
The Nicaraguan strongman gives a former President permission to carry a gun.
Document signed: "A. Somoza", 1p, 8x10¾. Managua, Nicaragua, 1934 November 2. On letterhead of the General Headquarters, Nicaraguan National Guard. Document numbered 346, with three endorsements in lower half of page. In Spanish, loosely translated: "The General Headquarters grants permission to carry a revolver to Ex-President don Adolfo Diaz. This permit is valid until the last day of December of 1935. Date of cancellation." Handwritten note at bottom by a National Guard captain extends the permit through 1936. Anastasio Somoza Garcia (1896-1956) used his position as head of the National Guard to seize power in a coup d'etat in 1936. He ruled the country with an iron fist for the next 20 years, holding the office of President from 1937-1947 and from 1950-1956. After his assassination in 1956, his sons Luis Somoza Debayle and Anastasio Somoza Debayle continued the family dynasty until the latter was forced to flee the country in 1979, driven from power by the leftist "Sandinistas." While ruling in an authoritarian manner at home and quarreling with neighboring counties, especially Costa Rica, President Somoza Garcia was careful to maintain friendly relations with the US. The suspension of aid by the Carter administration in 1979 was a factor in bringing the Somoza family's rule to an end. Adolfo Diaz was President of Nicaragua (1911-1916) during a period of turmoil in which US Marines occupied the country. Lightly creased. Otherwise, fine condition.