Puerto Cabezas
Incensed by the collaboration between the Conservative Party’s leadership and the US government, Moncada refused to recognize the new Díaz government. On 1 December 1926, he initiated a new Liberal offensive at Puerto Cabezas. The U.S. responded by "creating six neutral zones along the east coast, [expelling] the Liberal government from Puerto Cabezas, and dumping Liberal munitions into the harbor". Augusto Sandino, an ally of the Liberal Party, proposed the creation of a revolutionary force that would continue the struggle against the U.S.-Conservative coalition. He was unable to impress José María Moncada, who was "reluctant to turn over precious arms and munitions to [an] unknown guerrilla". Despite rejection by the Liberal leadership, "the rank and file among the Liberals were more sympathetic" and Sandino would go on to establish a revolutionary force after the compromise between the Liberal and Conservative Parties.