The Contra War was a conflict in Nicaragua during the 1980s, primarily between the Sandinista government and the Contras, a rebel group. The Sandinistas, who were leftist, came to power after the overthrow of the Somoza dictatorship in 1979. The Contras, supported by the United States, aimed to overthrow the Sandinista regime, which they viewed as oppressive. The war was marked by significant violence and human rights abuses on both sides. The U.S. government provided funding and military assistance to the Contras, leading to controversy and debates over American foreign policy. The conflict officially ended in 1990 when a peace agreement was reached, leading to democratic elections in Nicaragua.