Nicaragua: Information on the Ala Feminina Somocista
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NIC24952.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nicaragua: Information on the Ala Feminina Somocista, 1 November 1996, NIC24952.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab2414.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided in a 20 November 1996 telephone interview with a former mayor of Waspán (1972-1979) and regional chairperson of the Partido Liberal Nacionalista (Somocistas) from 1968 to 1979. The source presently lives in Miami.
The Ala Feminina Somocista (AFS) was formed in 1968 as the women's wing of the Partido Liberal Nacionalista (Somocistas, PLN). The organization was the second largest political grouping in the country with a membership of approximately 500-600 000 members. Women became members by voluntarily signing up with the organization or because they were approached through recruitment campaigns where individuals, because of their social status or political involvement, were selected to be canvassed at the recommendation of existing party members.
The AFS had two main objectives: to perform political propaganda for the benefit of the PLN by proselytising to women in rural communities and urban centres and aid in identifying poorer members of society to whom social services and medical attention should be directed. The source noted that if a person was not a member of the PLN, they did not have free access to health and social services, but would have to submit a request for assistance from the PLN with the written support of a party member. Government employees who were not party members had to pay a percentage of their salary to receive access to health and social services, while members of the PLN received free access to these services.
The structure of the AFS consisted of an executive council at national and regional levels. The Centro Nacional de la AFS was headquartered in Managua, but every major urban centre had a delegation. The regional delegations had a direct link to the national executive whereby they received directives as well as made policy recommendations. The last national president of the AFS prior to the Sandinista Revolution was Maria Elena Cruz.
The source noted that many members of the AFS were tortured, killed, and imprisoned under the Sandinista regime, while others fled the country. The source was of the opinion that the present political climate is still unfavourable towards supporters of the Somoza regime.
In a 22 November 1996 telephone interview, the executive director of the South and Meso-America Indigenous Information Centre (SAIIC), an ethnic Miskito from the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua and former mayor of Rio Wawa, provided the the following information.
The AFS was one of the largest political groups in the country and actively participated in the local politics of municipal councils, together with the PLN and the youth wing of the party. The source confirmed that the AFS functioned primarily as a political arm of the PLN, with a mandate to integrate women into the party. The source was also of the opinion that a climate of security does not exist in Nicaragua for former supporters of the Somoza regime, as Sandinistas are still in control of branches of the military, the public service and neighbourhood organizations.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Former mayor of Waspán (1972-1979) and regional chairperson of the Partido Liberal Nacionalista (1968-1979), Miami. 20 November 1996. Telephone interview.
South and Meso-America Indigenous Information Centre (SAIIC), Oakland, Calif. 22 November 1996. Telephone interview with executive director.