Blood of Augusto Sandino Runs Through Nicaragua's Veins: Ortega

The blood of Augusto C. Sandino runs through the veins of Nicaragua, said President Daniel Ortega on the 124th anniversary of the nation’s 20th-century hero’s birth.

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"The Nicaraguan people raised the red and black flag to rescue the blue and white flag of the homeland — which had been sold to the Yankee invaders — so it would fly high for the homeland yesterday and always," said Ortega.

A parade of grateful Nicaraguans stood outside the town of Niquinohomo where Sandino was born. Ortega reminded onlookers of the nation’s turbulent history between 1927 and 1933 when Nicaraguans and guerrilla militants fought “hand in hand” against the U.S. interventionists, imperialism, and racial oppression.

"The defense of a country’s sovereignty is the defense of the conditions to continue the battle against poverty and the exclusion of rights," the president said.

Vice President Rosario Murillo also said a few words, encouraging citizens to help keep Sandino’s “immortal legacy of courage and dignity” through “hard work for better health and education programs.”

The new National Production Plan is "a way to honor Sandino, who always had the Nicaraguan countryside in mind, with the production of more food to guarantee national consumption and exports, but also to fundamentally improve the lives of Nicaraguan families," she added.

Sandino was assassinated by the national guard in 1934, but not before inspiring thousands of Nicaraguans to found the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) in his honor and memory. The party was pivotal to the destruction of a brutal 40-year dictatorship, which came to an end in 1979.

Sandino's extraordinary feat of arms showed his countrymen the strength of a small, dedicated, guerrilla army when facing a goliath like the U.S. and what a band of impassioned soldiers can do to change history and the fate of a nation.