During his 43-year reign, while the people wallowed in abject poverty, Somoza came to own half of the land and most of the companies in Nicaragua. What is worse is that Somoza’s interests were ruthlessly protected by the national guard: The national guard which was known for torture and killing at will. This is the same national guard that the US created, paid for, and armed as a part of America’s “foreign aid program.” This is the same national guard whom Reagan labeled, “Freedom Fighters.”