Russia sending troops to train in Nicaragua with Ortega regime

The Nicaraguan government authorized Russian troops, planes, and ships to enter the Central American country as part of a “routine” measure, reported The Associated Press.  

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega will allow Russian troops to carry out law enforcement duties, and “humanitarian aid, rescue and search missions in emergencies or natural disasters” in the Central American country, according to a decree published this week.

Small contingents of Russian troops will also be allowed to provide “experiences and training” to Nicaraguan forces.

“We are talking about a routine—twice a year—procedure for the adoption of a Nicaraguan law on the temporary admission of foreign military personnel to its territory in order to develop cooperation in various areas, including humanitarian and emergency responses, combatting organized crime and drug trafficking,” said Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

According to Russian news agency Tass, Ortega "signed an order extending permission for the presence of foreign military contingents, including the Russian one, according to the official government journal."

The Central American country added that it would also allow naval forces and air vessels from Venezuela, Honduras, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico, El Salvador, and the United States in the country for the second half of 2022.  

Nicaragua—particularly Ortega—has been an ally of Russia since the 1979 revolution that ousted dictator Anastasio Somoza.

Ortega has been widely criticized for the November 2021 presidential elections, when he was elected as president for the fourth consecutive term. Ahead of the elections, the regime arrested more than 46 opposition leaders and six presidential candidates.