Adolfo Calero

Adolfo Calero Portocarrero (born December 22, 1931) was a Nicaraguan businessman, and leader of the Nicaraguan Democratic Force, which was the largest contra rebel group opposing the Sandinista government. [cite book | last = Hart Strober | first = Deborah| coauthors = Gerald S. | title = The Reagan Presidency: An Oral History of the Era | publisher = Brassey's | date = 2003 | isbn = 1574885839 ]

In the contra leadership, Calero was responsible for managing the bank accounts into which money was deposited and then used to buy supplies and arms. He was brought to testify at U.S. Congressional hearings in May 1987.

Early years

Calero was born in Managua to Adolfo Calero Orozco and María Portocarrero. He studied in the United States, graduating from University of Notre Dame and Syracuse University. In Managua, he managed the Coca-Cola bottling plant.

Calero was associated with the Conservative Party. From1963, he was a CIA information source. Before the overthrow of the government of Anastasio Somoza in 1979, he was briefly imprisoned, giving credibility to his claims to have opposed Somoza as well as the Sandinistas.

Contra leader

In early 1983, he joined the political directorate of the Nicaraguan Democratic Force (FDN). By October he became its president, though many observers wondered about his real power, due to the political wing's weak control over the military wing. In a bid to unify contra factions and win aid from the U.S. Congress, he became a member of the United Nicaraguan Opposition (UNO) triumvirate with Alfonso Robelo and Arturo Cruz.

Calero controlled the FDN through his deputy, Aristides Sánchez, and the contras' military commander, Enrique Bermúdez, an alliance so tight that it was dubbed the "Iron Triangle."

However, there were tensions below the surface. After the Sapoa ceasefire, Calero exploited discontent with Bermudez among the FDN's field commanders in an effort to push him out. Heavy-handed intervention by the CIA helped to crush this effort. Later, however, other commanders, with the blessing of the State Department, ousted both their political and military leadership.

Personal life

Calero got married to Maria Ernestina Lacayo on December 7 in 1957. The couple had two children: Myriam and Adolfo. Calero has 3 grandchildren. He is the older brother of Myriam, Martha and Mario.

References