ABSTRACT
In a period spanning almost four decades, Central America saw the emergence and development of numerous armed left-wing groups. While in some cases, such as Honduras, these groups never grew beyond small clandestine outfits with a limited militant base and little capacity for action, in others, such as El Salvador and Guatemala, they formed powerful insurgent movements with significant support among rural populations. In Nicaragua’s case, the revolutionary Left even succeeded in leading a victorious uprising and remaining in power for 11 years.
