My roommate Ghita referred me to a fascinating obituary article about an Ex-Sandinista, Herty Lewites. His life is unalloyed fodder for an epic Rushdian novel. Some highlights of his life:

Herty Lewites was born in the Nicaraguan province of Jinotepe, the son of a Jewish Polish candy manufacturer who left New York and settled in Jinotepe after falling in love with a Nicaraguan woman.

Herty Lewites joined the leftist Sandinista National Liberation Front.

Herty Lewites smuggled guns from California to Nicaragua in the 70s. After several successful runs, carrying weapons concealed in trucks, he was arrested and spent six months in federal prison.

Herty Lewites was appointed the minister of tourism after the Sandinistas won the Revolutionary war in 1979.

Herty Lewites won fame and fortune opening “dollar stores” where diplomats could buy imported goods otherwise unavailable in Nicaragua.

Herty Lewites won even more fame and fortune opening up an amusement park named "Hertylandia."

Herty Lewites was a contender in the race for the next Nicaraguan presidency, under a new party that he formed, the Movement for Sandinista Renewal.

Herty Lewites died of a heart attack mid-campaign.

Read the rest here.