Nicaragua authorizes Russian troops to enter the country for humanitarian purposes. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has announced the entry of foreign troops, ships and aircraft into the country for humanitarian purposes, starting from the second half of 2022.
As published in the government’s official journal, ships, aircraft and personnel from the Russian Armed Forces are authorized to “participate in exercises and exchanges in humanitarian aid operations and search and rescue missions in situations of emergency or natural disasters.”
Nicaragua prolongs permission for presence of foreign forces in the country. The permission is valid for the second half of 2022, TASS reports.
The government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has authorized Russian troops, planes and ships to deploy to Nicaragua for purposes of training, law enforcement or emergency response, Associated Press confirms.
The Nicaraguan government also authorized the presence of small contingents of Russian troops for “exchange of experiences and training.”
Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, told the Russian news outlet Sputnik that the measure was “routine.”
“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,” Zakharova said.
She noted the law also authorizes troops from the United States, Mexico and other Central American countries for such purposes.
Ortega has been a staunch ally of Russia since his days in the leadership of the 1979 revolution that ousted dictator Anastasio Somoza. Ortega served as president from 1985 to 1990, before being re-elected to power.