The Contras were the various U.S.-backed and funded right-wing rebel groups that were active from 1979 to 1990 in opposition to the Marxist Sandinista Junta of National Reconstruction Government in Nicaragua, which had come to power in 1979 following the Nicaraguan Revolution.
With Congress blocking significant aid to the Contras, the Reagan administration sought to arrange funding and military supplies by means of third countries and private sources. Between 1984 and 1986, 2.7 million from private sources were raised this way. This operation functioned, however, without any of the accountability required of U.S. government activities. The Reagan administration’s efforts culminated in the Iran–Contra affair of 1986–1987, which facilitated contra funding through the proceeds of arms sales to Iran.