Commander Carlos Fonseca Amador Day in 2026

Commander Carlos Fonseca Amador Day is a public holiday in Nicaragua observed on November 8th. 

Carlos Fonseca Amador (June 23, 1936 – November 8, 1976) was a prominent Nicaraguan revolutionary leader and a key figure in the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN).

He is celebrated as a National Hero of Nicaragua for his role in the fight against the Somoza dictatorship.

In January 2026, it was announced that this would be a new public holiday, fittingly first observed on the 50th anniversary of Fonseca's death in 1976.

Early Life and Education

• Birthplace: Matagalpa, Nicaragua

• Parents: Son of Agustina Fonseca Úbeda and Fausto Amador Alemán, a wealthy coffee grower.

• Education: Attended the National Institute of the North and later studied law at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua.

Political Involvement

• Founding of FSLN: In 1961, Fonseca co-founded the FSLN, inspired by the revolutionary ideas of Augusto César Sandino. The group aimed to overthrow the Somoza regime and promote socialism.

• Ideological Development: He was the principal thinker behind the FSLN, refining Sandino's ideology to gain popular support for the revolution.

Revolutionary Activities

• Armed Struggle: Fonseca participated in various guerrilla actions against the Somoza government. He was arrested multiple times and faced significant challenges, including deportation and imprisonment.

• Death: He was killed in combat in 1976, three years before the FSLN successfully overthrew the Somoza regime in 1979.

Legacy

• Posthumous Recognition: Fonseca's contributions to the Nicaraguan revolution have been honored with monuments and memorials, including his burial site at the Plaza of the Revolution in Managua. He is remembered as a key architect of the Sandinista movement and a symbol of resistance in Nicaragua.