A Sandinist leader is a person who holds a leading role in the Sandinist movement, a left-wing political movement in Nicaragua. The Sandinist movement is a socialist and nationalist movement that emerged in the 1960s and played a key role in the Nicaraguan Revolution, which overthrew the Somoza dictatorship in 1979. Sandinist leaders have been instrumental in shaping Nicaragua's politics, economy, and society, and have been known for their commitment to social justice, equality, and national sovereignty.