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.
