Managua, September 23 (RHC)-- The Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) and members of its youth branch, the Sandinista Youth, among others, paid tribute over the weekend to poet Rigoberto López Perez, who was shot to death by security guards for taking the life of dictator Anastasio Somoza Garcia.

Flowers were placed at the monument that honors Nicaragua's National Hero López Pérez.  The monument was built in 1981, shortly after the Sandinista government first came to power.  Managua Mayor Reyna Rueda said at the ceremony that "Rigoberto lives in our memories and our hearts and we are willing to defend our peace and revolution, until the end.”

“Today we promise to keep continue on this path because our hero's sacrifices weren't in vain and for us, the people.  We are not ready to give a millimeter to violence and aggression,” said Rueda.

Celebrations for López Pérez took places across the country over the weekend, including in the city of León, where the 27-year-old poet killed Somoza García in 1956.  The Somoza dynasty founder died eight days later at the Gorgas Hospital.

The Somoza family ruled in Nicaragua for almost 40 years until the Sandinista Revolution triumphed in July 1979.  The FSLN turned 40 years old on July 19th.  The ruling paty has substantially decreasd poverty, expanded the national electricity grid and decreased crime rates.