Iran-Contra Affair

El caso Irán-Contra was a major political scandal that rocked the United States in the 1980s. It began as a secret operation during the presidency of Ronald Reagan, aimed at supporting anti-Sandinista rebels in Nicaragua. The plan involved selling arms to Iran, which was at war with Iraq, and using the proceeds to fund the rebels. The operation was carried out by a group of high-ranking officials, including National Security Adviser John Poindexter and Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North. However, the operation was not without controversy. The Reagan administration was accused of violating several laws, including the Arms Export Control Act and the Boland Amendment, which prohibited the use of funds for military operations in Nicaragua. The scandal came to light in 1986, when it was revealed that the administration had been secretly selling arms to Iran and using the proceeds to fund the rebels. The scandal led to the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including Poindexter and North, and had significant political repercussions for the Reagan administration.