MANAGUA — 1978 · Murder
The Assassination of Journalist Pedro Joaquín Chamorro
Pedro Joaquín Chamorro, editor of La Prensa, the only major opposition newspaper under the long rule of the Somoza family, was shot dead on 10 January 1978 by gunmen in a car that pulled up beside him as he drove through central Managua. Riots and a nationwide general strike followed, amid widespread claims that the regime had ordered the killing. The assassination is regarded as a turning point that accelerated the revolution which toppled Somoza in 1979. At a post-revolution trial in 1981 a jury found nine defendants guilty, and the gunmen received the maximum sentence of 30 years. His widow, Violeta Chamorro, was elected president in 1990.
- Date
- 1978
- Place
- Managua, Nicaragua, Managua, NI
- Category
- Murder
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- 12.1364, -86.2514 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 10 January 1978Chamorro was shot dead in his car in Managua.
- January 1978Riots and a general strike broke out.
- July 1979The Somoza regime was overthrown by revolution.
- June 1981A jury convicted nine defendants; the gunmen received 30 years.
Sources
- UPI Archives — Killers of Nicaraguan publisher given 30 years jail upi.com ↗
- Britannica — Pedro Joaquín Chamorro britannica.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Pedro Joaquín Chamorro Cardenal en.wikipedia.org ↗
- UPI
- Britannica
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.