The Unknown War

Europeans and their descendants have tried for almost half a millennium to annex the Miskito Nation, in what is currently Nicaragua. The Miskito people have been militarily invaded and occupied several times, but have not relinquished their sovereignty or territory by defeat, treaty or vote. Instead they have consistently sought to defend their nation by political and military means to expel would-be occupation forces and to establish bilateral treaties to recognize Miskito control over Miskito territory. This report includes chapters on geopolitics, their negotiations with the Sandinistas, and U.S. policy and strategy for Nicaragua as it relates to this oppressed Indian people struggling both to survive and to maintain its cultural identity in the midst of civil war.