Question: which nation did sandinista rebels overthrow the dictator of in 1979
Answer: The Nicaraguan Revolution ( Spanish : Revolución Nicaragüense or Revolución Popular Sandinista ) encompassed the rising opposition to the Somoza dictatorship in the 1960s and 1970s , the campaign led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front ( FSLN ) to violently oust the dictatorship in 1978 -- 79 , the subsequent efforts of the FSLN to govern Nicaragua from 1979 until 1990 and the Contra War which was waged between the FSLN - led government of Nicaragua and the United States - backed Contras from 1981 - 1990 .