Right -- the Somoza regime was no picnic. It was said that, in essence, five bigshot families controlled or owned most of the country and decided its fortunes. So, out of the frying pan (which was fairly local and contained), into the fire (which made it instantly a threat of the first magnitude, the international communist conspiracy -- a direct threat to the US -- that is, until that scheme came apart at the seams in 1989-90).
I hear they are relatively stable now with a semi-functioning democracy. Do you know it is or not?
I certainly hope so. If countries in Latin America can show that democracy means you can prosper then it would a great example.
Sounds like a more violent version of Mexico.