Sandino, Augusto César (1893-1934) nationalist leader in Nicaragua. He fought the conservative government during the Nicaraguan civil war (1926-27) and resisted U.S. occupation, vowing to fight until U.S. forces were withdrawn from Nicaragua. Sandino had widespread popular support and evaded capture by U.S. Marines and the Nicaraguan National Guard. After the withdrawal of the Marines in January 1933, Sandino became involved in peace negotiations. He was assassinated by Anastasio Somoza's National Guard on February 23, 1934. The members of the revolutionary group formed in Nicaragua in 1979 called themselves Sandinistas in his honor.

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