Unit VI: American Intervention: Grenada & Nicaragua (6/1)

Corresponding text found on p362-366 of Brief History of the Caribbean.

Grenada

Despite massive foreign aid, conditions in Grenada deteriorated
Public services decayed, no improvement in education and health, unemployment rising by 1983
PRG increasing unpopular; Bishop seen as one to blame; Coard had resigned CC and Politburo in '82

Bishop examines factory

Sept 1983 - 3-day meeting; Central Committee decided Bishop remain PM; Coard brought back to chair Politburo; Bishop concedes
During later trip to Europe, Bishop reconsiders; seeks support outside NJM
Bishop expelled from CC and Politburo; dismissed as PM; placed under house arrest

About a week later, people protest Bishop arrest (10,000 Grenadians -- about 10% of pop)
3,000 ppl march to house and release Bishop; leads supporters to take PRA headquarters

PRA Headquarters: Fort Rupert

Central Committee then sends 3 armored personnel carriers to retake Fort Rupert from Bishop
Bishop and supporters surrender; Bishop and 4 members of Cabinet executed on orders from CC
Army announces formation on new Revolution Military Council

Oct 21, 1983 - OECS requests help from US to intervene in Grenada
Oct 25 - Operation Urgent Fury - 1,900 US soldiers land in Grenada with 300 Caribbean soldiers
Prime Minister Chambers of Trinidad objects to action

Urgent Fury

US justifies with OECS request and need to protect American expats and students
1,500 Grenadian troops and a small number of Cuban troops resisted
US troops occupy and pacify Grenada in 3 days

US troops leave by Dec '83; new elections in Dec '84; Constitution of 1974 reinstated
US puts substantial foreign aid into Grenada to support new govt; roads and health care improve


Nicaragua

With FSLN victorious, former Somoza National Guard members reorganize near Honduran border
Opposition gains support of ethnic minorities from Nicaraguan Caribbean coast denied autonomy
1981 - Ronald Reagan elected Pres of US; suspends aid to Nicaragua; signs directives in late '81 to fund Nicaraguan counterrevolutionaries

Contras organized against the FSLN, funded by the United States

Contras, supported by CIA, begin two front war against Sandinista govt; FSLN begins draft

War against Contras exhausts much of Sandinista govt resources
US heavily invests in Contras between 1983 and 1987; Iran-Contra Affair

Not the most accurate explanation of Iran-Contra but funny

1986-87 - Esquipulas Process established to create peace in Central America (ES, Nic, Guat)
Laid out plans to
  - end hostilities
  - promote national reconciliation
  - democratize nations
  - hold free elections
  - stop funding irregular military forces
  - control arms flow
  - assist refugees

1990 - FSLN & Ortega defeated in elections by US supported and financed UNO party

Odd coalition: UNO wins the 1990 elections in Nicaragua