Esmeralda

If you met Esmeralda today, a beautiful middle aged woman who’s face is always full of laughter, you would have trouble believing that she ever held a gun in her life.

Esmeralda was a young woman in the late 70’s when the Sandinista Liberation Front began their efforts to over throw the oppressive Samosa regime. During that time, it was not unusual for people to be taken from their home for no visible reason, creating fear amongst all people, as well as a deep need for change. Esmeralda felt compelled to do something for her country and her people, but always felt that she is a woman of peace, and has a deep respect for God and human life. Soon it became clear that she had to choose between leaving home, or fighting to protect herself and her neighbors, friends and family. This was a difficult decision for Esmeralda, as she had to leave her young children in a bomb shelter day after day as she went to fight in the mountains.

After fighting in the revolution, Esmeralda moved to the United States to provide a better life for her children. She had very mixed feelings about returning to Nicaragua. In this video clip, she visits her homeland during the anniversary of the revolution and meets with some of her friends and combatants after many years away. She also visits the site of violence and begins to remember precisely the things she’s been trying to forget.

Esmeralda’s story is told in-depth in the documentary “Hidden Battles,” about the psychological impact that killing in combat has on soldiers internationally. www.hiddenbattles.com