This opportunity emerged in the 1970s , when the Somoza government confiscated relief funds for personal gain instead of giving aid to individuals and families after the 1972 Managua earthquake . Fonseca stated that the persistent problems that existed in Nicaragua could not be solved through legal activities and elections . Instead , Fonseca drew from the success of the Cuban Revolution and the life of Sandino to persuade students , workers , and peasants to gain power through the revolutionary force of the FSLN
1972 Managua earthquake
1972 Nicaragua earthquake
Sandinista ideology