SANDINISTA PROPAGANDA AND DISINFORMATION EFFORTS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T01058R000100050001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 22, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 30, 1985
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/06: CIA-RDP85T01058R000100050001-0
30 January 1985
SUBJECT: Sandinista Propaganda and Disinformation Efforts
Sandinista propaganda efforts have elicited international
sympathy for Nicaragua and influenced public opinion against US
policy. Nicaragua's propaganda mechanisms include tight control
over the domestic media, an international news service,
establishment of solidarity organizations, and frequent travel
abroad by Sandinista leaders. In 1984, for example, Sandinista
officials made several dozen trips abroad, many to Western
Europe, seeking support and sympathy for their regime.
Managua probably gains its best mileage,.however, from
misleading or false information that frequently receives
widespread coverage in the Western media. One priority goal of
this Sandinista disinformation is to discredit anti-Sandinista
insurgents by accusing them of human rights abuses.
-- The government falsely claimed in 1983 that the
insurgents shot down a MI-8 helicopter carrying some 70
Indian children, and alleged later that year that the
cone trasihad kidnapped and killed US Bishop Schlaeffer.
State Dept. review completed
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Honduran military officials deny press reports that they
have evidence linking the insurgents to 18 unresolved
killings in Honduras and believe the story originated in
Managua. The Honduran Human Rights Commission also has
said publicly it has no information relatin to
insurgent involvement in disappearances.
Managua also targets the US with spurious charges.
-- In December 1983, the Sandinista press claimed the US
used chemical weapons in Grenada.
-- The regime reported in May 1984 that the US was
supplying. anti-Sandinista insurgents with drugs, and in
June 1984, a Managua radio station broadcast a Health
Ministry warning that the US might give bacteriological
In June Managua said that 60 "selected Somocista
mercenaries" ies" took part in joint US-Honduran exercises.
*Although the most recent Sandinista inspired story about
Honduran military claims of contra atrocities appears made of
whole cloth, the FDN probably was responsible for some past
abuses in Honduras. These were most likely to have occurred in
1983, when FDN comandante Suicida was on his rampage. The FDN
executed Suicida for his excesses,-most of which took place in
N icaragua.
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assassinations.
-- The Sandinistas expelled three US Embassy officers in
June 1983 after accusing them of plotting to poison
In August 1983, the government presented to the press
two prisoners allegedly involved in a CIA plot to
assassinate several high-ranking officials.
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-- In recent weeks, the Sandinistas have claimed the US
intends to kill Interior Minister Borge. 25X1
Nicaragua has also used its propaganda apparatus
discredit and intimidate neighboring countries. 25X1
-- According to US Embassy reports, the Sandinista campaign
against Costa Rica has included false charges of human
rights violations, torture and imprisonment of political
prisoners, and participation in joint military exercises
with Panama and the US. 25X1
-- Managua eagerly exploited allegations by Nobel laureate
Adolfo Perez Esouivel--a Sandinista sympathizer--that
Honduran troops massacred Miskito Indians early last
year. According to the US Embassy, the killings
actually resulted from a Sandinista attempt to
repatriate the Indians by force. 25X1
-- The Sandinistas frequently accuse the Honduran military
of joining anti-Sandinista insurgents in cross-border
attacks. 25X1
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Sandinistas accused the US of involvement in political
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We believe that Sandinista disinformation and distortions
are generally successful in raising doubts and suspicions about
US policy.
-- Few attempts are made in the media to rebut the charges
or demand proof. Even if specific accusations strike
outside observers as incorrect, the Nicaraguans appear
to be achieving their minimum goal of adding to the
climate of uncertainty about US actions.
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SUBJECT: Sandinista Propaganda and Disinformation Efforts
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DCI
Executive
DDI
DDO
DDO/C/LA
C/DDI/PES
NIO/LA
D/ALA
ALA/PS
Registry
ALA Research
CPAS/IMC CB
DDO/C/LA
ALA/MCD
ALA/MCD/CA
ALA/MCD/CA files
DDI/ALA/MCD/CAS:
(30 January 1985)
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/08/06: CIA-RDP85T01058R000100050001-0