The Contras were a rebel group fighting against Nicaragua.
The Contras were right-wing rebels (guarillas) who opposed the socialist government in Nicaragua. They were active from 1979 to 1990.
The Contras carried out assassinations of government officials, blew up several strategic bridges and planted mines in Nicaragua's piers to prevent arms shipments to the ports. They committed a large number of human rights violations and used terrorist tactics.
They received financial and military support from the United States government. The support was later stopped by the Congress but the Reagan administration continued with this activity which culminated in the Iran-Contras affair.
