UNO

UNO (United Nicaraguan Opposition) was a Central Intelligence Agency-inspired merger of Contra factions created to improve the Contras' public image, existing mostly as a facade while the FDN retained real authority and did the bulk of the fighting. The merger was formalized in the Oval Office on August 5, 1987, at a gathering of Nicaraguan resistance leaders.¹

Purpose and Structure

UNO existed mostly as a public relations creation. The State Department used UNO to deny drug links, assuring Congress that "DEA has examined allegations of linkages between members of the UNO/FARN and suspected traffickers. It has found no information indicating that members of this group have been involved in narcotics trafficking." This assurance came despite extensive evidence to the contrary, including wiretaps capturing Contra commanders discussing cocaine shipments and DEA reports linking UNO members to drug trafficking.²

Facade of Unity

The CIA-inspired merger gathered all Contra factions under one group on paper, but the FDN retained most of the authority. Enrique Bermúdez and the FDN leadership continued to control military operations and the associated drug trafficking networks. UNO served primarily as a political tool to secure congressional funding and deflect criticism of Contra human rights abuses and criminal activities.³