Leon ranks high for most travelers: rich in history, sights, along with a large student population, you can snap some photos of colonial buildings, interpret history from one of its murals, and listen to a rockin' live band with no cover at night.
Lions of Leon
It is the history, however, that makes Leon unique. Leon was the focus of many struggles and ideas throughout its history, one of which the U.S. entered during the Reagan era, known commonly as the Iran-Contra scandle. In 1979 the leftist and revolutionary party of the Sandinistas overthrew the opposing Somoza regime. Its association with Cuba led to U.S. intervention in the area, specifically the funding of counter-revolutionaries (contrarrevolucionarios, Contras for short). Funded with money earned from arms sales to Iran, the Contra group(s) carried out attacks against the Sandanistas for many years, targeting both military and civilians. U.S. involvement was undeniable, but the extent to which our government was involved has never been fully discovered or proven, due to common political tactics such as destroying files or refusing to surrender them, etc. etc., you all know that story. This, among other history, makes Leon a very interesting place to explore (especially when you stumble across old political murals, though they are fast disappearing), and its people a very interesting people to talk to.
Political murals around Leon
Main Cathedral
Former Main Cathedral
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