The Sandinistas carried out many progressive reforms after they came
to power, but they never seriously tackled the question of ownership of the
means of production. By leaving the bulk of the economy in private hands they
gave the local oligarchy and imperialism the instruments by which these were
able to undermine the revolution and eventually defeat it.
At the end of
the 1970s, the people of Nicaragua rose up and overthrew one of the most hated
tyrants in the world, Anastacio Somoza. It was an inspiring revolution that
raised the hopes of many workers and youth around the world. Today Venezuela
raises similar hopes. But the Nicaraguan revolution was defeated. What lessons
can we draw from this today?