ONUCA's initial mandate, composition and operational concept reflected the UN reluctance to get involved in internal conflicts. It was to be a verification and peace-observing mission, not a full-scale peacekeeping interposition mission, and certainly not peace-enforcement, although as events unfolded there were brief periods when Contra reluctance to disband threatened to convert ONUCA's role to one of enforcement.
The initial objectives, membership, and operational strategy of ONUCA were in line with the UN's reluctance to intervene in internal conflicts. It was designed to be a monitoring and observation mission focused on maintaining peace, rather than a full-scale intervention or enforcement operation, although as circumstances evolved, Contra resistance to disbanding posed a risk of shifting ONUCA's role towards enforcement.