For more than half a century, the Somoza family ruled the Central American republic of Nicaragua as its personal fiefdom.

They owned most of the farming land and the industry. All political dissent was suppressed.

In the early 1970s, the left-wing Sandinista National Liberation Front launched its first armed attacks on the regime.

In July 1979, the Sandinistas stormed to power, and General Anastasio Somoza and his followers fled into exile.

Daisy Zamora was a young Sandinista rebel. She recalls the struggle to overthrow the regime.

Witness is a World Service radio programme of the stories of our times told by the people who were there.

Produced by Mike Lanchin.