Contras

The Contras were a rebel group in Nicaragua during the 1980s, formed to oppose the Sandinista government, which had come to power after a revolution in 1979. The Sandinistas were leftist and aligned with communist ideals, which raised concerns in the U.S. government. The Contras received support from the United States, particularly under President Reagan, as part of a broader Cold War strategy to counter communism in Central America. Their actions were controversial, leading to debates over human rights violations and the implications of U.S. foreign policy.