In San Jose, Costa Rica, Violeta Chamorro, an unassuming homemaker who unexpectedly stepped into politics due to her husband’s assassination and surprised the world by defeating the ruling Sandinista party in Nicaragua, has passed away at the age of 95. Her family confirmed the news in a statement released on Saturday. Chamorro became the nation’s first female president, known as Doña Violeta, guiding Nicaragua through a difficult transition to peace after a decade-long civil conflict between the Sandinista government and U.S.-backed Contra rebels.
Chamorro’s presidency spanned nearly seven years, which marked the longest single term served by a democratically elected Nicaraguan head of state at the time. She peacefully transferred power to an elected civilian successor, an uncommon occurrence in a nation accustomed to strongman rule, revolution, and intense political divisions.
Chamorro passed away in San Jose, Costa Rica, as reported by her son, Carlos Fernando Chamorro. In the family’s statement, it was expressed that she died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of her children and those who cared for her. A religious ceremony is being planned in San Jose, and her remains will stay in Costa Rica until Nicaragua “returns to being a Republic.” Like many other Nicaraguans, her family had gone into exile due to the political climate under Ortega’s government.
Her daughter, Cristiana Chamorro, faced house arrest in Nicaragua, convicted of charges including money laundering as part of Ortega’s tactics to eliminate electoral competition. The Violeta Barrios de Chamorro Foundation, which focused on promoting journalistic integrity and freedom of expression, was forced to shut down in Nicaragua in early 2021 as Ortega intensified efforts to suppress opposing voices.
Violeta Chamorro, born on October 18, 1929, in Rivas, was largely unprepared for the public arena. As the oldest daughter in a landowning family, she had received her education in U.S. finishing schools and married Pedro Joaquin Chamorro after returning home following her father’s death. Pedro became the editor and publisher of La Prensa, a family-operated newspaper, and vocally criticized the Somoza regime, which had ruled Nicaragua for four decades. His assassination in 1978, believed to have been ordered by Somoza, galvanized mass opposition, propelling the Sandinista revolution led by Daniel Ortega.
After her husband’s death, Violeta Chamorro took over La Prensa and became briefly involved in the interim government that succeeded Somoza. However, she withdrew as the Sandinistas grew in influence and as the regime aligned with Cuba and the Soviet Union amidst Cold War tensions. La Prensa faced harassment from supporters of the Sandinistas for its critical stance and allegations of collaboration with U.S.-backed Contras.
Despite harboring personal ambitions beyond her domestic role, Chamorro expressed disappointment in what she perceived as the Sandinistas’ betrayal of her husband’s democratic aspirations and her support for the revolution against Somoza. Her family experienced internal political divides, with different members supporting opposing factions.
By 1990, the country was war-torn, heavily impacted by a U.S. trade embargo, mismanagement, and conflict between the Contras and Sandinistas, which claimed thousands of lives. Chamorro emerged as the candidate for a coalition of opposition parties in the presidential race, facing significant odds against Ortega’s Sandinista incumbency. Despite health challenges and initial doubts, Chamorro’s maternal persona and calls for reconciliation and peace resonated with many Nicaraguans, leading to her electoral victory.
Her triumph saw the United States lift sanctions and pledge aid to rebuild Nicaragua. However, her governance faced obstacles, including resistance from Sandinista-led labor groups and a volatile economic environment. Despite the restoration of peace, stability and economic progress remained elusive during her tenure.
At the end of her administration in 1997, she handed over power to a successor, conservative Arnoldo Aleman, while continuing to advocate for forgiveness and national reconciliation. After her presidency, Chamorro withdrew from politics and dedicated herself to her family and personal interests. In her later years, she battled health issues, including a brain tumor and other medical complications, before passing away as confirmed by her family.