The government says it has set up a commission to confiscate more than 80,000 guns believed still held by civilians following the Contra war against the former Sandinista government.
It said Thursday that it informed human rights groups, the military, the Sandinistas and representatives of groups of rearmed Contra rebels - known as "recontras" - about the Security Commission.In recent weeks, recontras have attacked northern towns demanding political and social compensation promised by President Violeta Chamorro in exchange for their demobilization. More than 30 recontra groups in the north were involved in attacks on small towns and military installations during the past year.
The Contras demobilized when Chamorro took office after defeating the leftist Sandinistas in elections last year. The army was reduced drastically.
Thousands turned in their weapons, but thousands more did not.