According to the World Encyclopedia of Political Systems, (London: Longman Publishing Group, 1983), p. 736:

"Sandinista Defense Committees (Comites de Defensa Sandinista;CDS) are neighbourhood committees, many formed during the insurrection, supporting the FSLN. Since July 9, 1979, they have mobilized mass support for the party and assisted the government in public health, education and security programs."

Nevertheless, the book Nicaragua: Revolution in the Family, (New York: Vintage Books, 1986), p. 144, indicates:

"In addition to the army, the FSLN created a network of "mass organizations", entities emanating from itself on Leninist concepts. Most important were the Sandinista Defense Committees, which were the outgrowth of the United People's Movement that had been created in poor neighbourhoods during the last months of the insurrection."

This paragraph indicates that the CDSs, referred to as such in the first source, may have been called United People's Movement before the Sandinistas took power on 19 July 1979. However, no exact date of either organization's creation or legal constitution could be found among the available sources. Nicaragua: Revolution in the Family, in page 146, indicates that during the first year of the Sandinista government, CDSs were still being formed.

The "Fundamental Law of 20 July 1979", promulgated on 22 August 1979, and the "Statute on Rights and Guarantees of Nicaraguans, Decree No. 52 of 21 August 1979", declared on 17 September 1979, dissolved many institutions and created new ones, although no specific mention of the CDSs is made among the available sources. [ Report of the Amnesty International Missions to the Republic of Nicaragua, (London: Amnesty International, 1980), pp. 7-8.]

For information on military service and consequences of avoiding it, please see the attached copy of the latest Americas Watch report, Human Rights in Nicaragua: August 1987-August 1988, (Washington: Americas Watch, August 1988), pp. 100-103. However, no information on the use of I.D. cards or the consequences of failing to show it could be found among the available sources.