Nicaragua's parliament on Tuesday gave the go-ahead for Russian troops to be allowed into the country for joint military exercises despite concerns from Washington.

The chamber, dominated by allies of President Daniel Ortega, voted to allow troops and military hardware from Russia, the United States, and seven Latin American countries into Nicaragua.

Ortega had submitted a decree to parliament for approval, authorizing foreign troop participation "in an exchange of experience, training exercises, and humanitarian aid operations."

Allowing for the entry of foreign military personnel as well as ships and aircraft, the decree lists naval and air force exercises to fight drug traffickers and international organized crime.

The United States on Monday imposed fresh sanctions on Nicaraguan officials for the holding of "over 180 political prisoners, with many suffering from a lack of adequate food, proper medical care and even sunlight."

Ortega is a former Marxist firebrand who ousted dictator Anastasio Somoza and fought off US-backed Contra rebels in a bloody war in the 1980s.

He returned to office in 2007 and has been accused of growing authoritarianism, jailing opponents before he won another term last year.

US President Joe Biden refused to invite Ortega or the leftist leaders of Cuba and Venezuela to a Summit of the Americas last week.

At the summit, Secretary of State Antony Blinken questioned Ortega's bid to allow Russian troops into Nicaragua.

"Countries will make their sovereign decisions. However, the idea that Russia would be a good partner when it comes to law enforcement issues or when it comes to humanitarian assistance, shall we say, does not meet the credibility test," he said.

Several Nicaraguan officials on Tuesday rejected US warnings about allowing Russia -- busy waging a war on Ukraine -- to gain a foothold in the Americas.

Related Links
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Sweden safer now than before NATO bid says NATO chief as talk drag on
Harpsund, Sweden (AFP) June 13, 2022
Sweden is safer now than before it applied for NATO membership, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday, even though it is in a grey zone with its application stalled by Turkey. Stoltenberg stressed that NATO allies had provided key assurances to protect Sweden in the interim period before it becomes a full member and can benefit from the alliance's Article 5 mutual defence agreement. "Seen from a security perspective, Sweden is in a better place now than before it applied", he said, adding: ... read more