Humberto Ortega, Former Nicaraguan Military Chief and Critic of Brother's Regime, Dies at 77

Ortega, a key figure in the Sandinista revolution, passed away after a prolonged illness while under house arrest by his brother's government.

Humberto Ortega played a pivotal role as the head of the Sandinista army following the overthrow of dictator Anastasio Somoza in 1979.
He later became a vocal critic of his older brother, President Daniel Ortega, denouncing the administration's authoritarian practices.
Ortega died at a military hospital in Managua after suffering from heart problems and a prolonged illness.
His criticism of his brother's regime led to his effective house arrest, with police surrounding his home following a critical interview in May 2024.
Despite his controversial past, including the imposition of mandatory military service during the Sandinista-Contra conflict, he advocated for national conciliation in his later years.