The term "Contras" refers to a group of Nicaraguan rebel fighters who opposed the Sandinista government during the 1980s. The Sandinistas, a leftist political group, had come to power after overthrowing the Somoza dictatorship in 1979. The Contras received support from the United States, which viewed the Sandinista regime as a threat to democracy in the region. The conflict between the Contras and the Sandinistas led to a civil war that lasted for over a decade. The U.S. government provided funding and military assistance to the Contras, which sparked controversy and debates about foreign intervention. The war officially ended in 1990 when the Sandinistas lost elections, leading to a transition towards democracy in Nicaragua.