Nicaragua: Information on whether members of the Frente Norte handed in their weapons after the 23 May 1997 peace accord, and whether the accord is still in effect
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 September 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NIC27625.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nicaragua: Information on whether members of the Frente Norte handed in their weapons after the 23 May 1997 peace accord, and whether the accord is still in effect, 1 September 1997, NIC27625.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab6e72.html [accessed 22 May 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. |
Please find attached some articles reporting on the peace or demobilization accord signed by members of the Frente Norte 3-80 in May 1997. The demobilization process agreed upon, which included the handing in of weapons in exchange for "financial and technical assistance with returning to civilian life" (Caribbean and Central America Report 10 June 1997, 3), reportedly began on 21 June 1997 "with the hand over of weapons from a group of 26 men" (Central America Report 10 July 1997, 7). On 9 July 1997 "375 members of the 'rearmed' band known as Frente Norte 3-80 formally handed over their weapons" (Latin American Weekly Report 15 July 1997, 336), and "the final 425 members of the reamed former contra group ... handed in weapons on July 21" (Central America Report 7 August 1997, 8). Please consult the attached documents for details.
One news article (published in Spanish and thus not included with this Response) reports that seven remaining members of the Frente Norte 3-80 handed in their rifles to local military authorities and the Disarmament Brigade on 26 August 1997 in the community of La Patriota, Matiguas municipality, Matagalpa (La Tribuna 29 Aug. 1997). The group was reportedly led by Anibal Morales, also known as "El Clavo" (ibid.). According to a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defense, the men will receive the same benefits as the other demobilized fighters (ibid.).
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
Central America Report [Guatemala City]. 7 August 1997. "Nicaragua: Rearmed Demobilization Drags On."
_____. 10 July 1997. "FN 3-80 Disarm: Mission Successful?" (Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.] 7-20 July 1997, Vol. 12, No. 12, pp. 11-12)
Latin American Regional Reports: Caribbean and Central America Report [London]. 10 June 1997. "Aleman and Ortega Exchange Insults."
Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 15 July 1997. "Nicaragua: Disarmament."
La Tribuna [Managua]. 29 August 1997. Judith Flores. "Paso lento en las negociaciones entre el gobierno y el FUAC." [Internet] [Accessed 29 Aug. 1997]
Attachments
Central America Report [Guatemala City]. 7 August 1997. "Nicaragua: Rearmed Demobilization Drags On," p. 8.
_____. 10 July 1997. "FN 3-80 Disarm: Mission Successful?" (Central America NewsPak [Austin, Tex.] 7-20 July 1997, Vol. 12, No. 12, pp. 11-12)
Latin American Regional Reports: Caribbean and Central America Report [London]. 10 June 1997. "Aleman and Ortega Exchange Insults," p. 3.
Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 15 July 1997. "Nicaragua: Disarmament," p. 336.
