ABSTRACT
Augusto Cesar Sandino, his father Gregorio, and others dined in the Presidential Palace in Managua on 23 February 1934. This was the third meeting between President Sacasa and Sandino to work out difficulties in the transition to peace. The National Guard constituted the core of Somoza's political power in Nicaragua for twenty years. In 1933-1934 Somoza had had difficulty maintaining the loyalty of the Guard's officers, and throughout his later reign disgruntled, ambitious, and patriotic Guard elements would revolt against the director in chief. By the early 1940s the Academy provided a thorough three-year training program in basic military studies, which notably increased the Guard's capability. By 1956 he commanded the air force and was deputy commander of the entire Guard. The elder Somoza's illegitimate son José rose through the ranks from private to major by the 1950s. Thus nepotism provided the dictator with loyal commanders and trustworthy spies in key places, while establishing the foundations of the dynasty.
