In 1987, when President Reagan was financially backing the Contra rebellion against Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's Sandinistas, Mr. Ortega warned President Ronald Reagan against interfering in his country's affairs.
"Before consulting the hotheads who present various military options such as a military invasion," he cautioned, "Remember, President Reagan, Rambo only exists in the movies.''
While the US never invaded, Ortega lost the presidency in 1990 elections to Violeta Barrios Torres de Chamorro, who became Latin America's first female head of state.
Not easily deterred, Ortega was reelected in 2006 and is seeking to lift the constitutional term limits that would prevent him for running for reelection next year. Critics accuse Ortega of running roughshod over the rule of law.
STORY: Nicaraguans say US turns blind eye to abuses of Daniel Ortega
