First modification:
The Nicaraguan National Assembly ratified a decree authorizing the entry of ships, aircraft and foreign military personnel into Nicaraguan territory, after an “emergency request” made by President Daniel Ortega on June 7. The United States has classified it as a “provocation”.
With 78 votes in favor, zero against and 11 abstentions, the Nicaraguan National Assembly ratified a decree that will allow Russian troops to enter Nicaragua, with the purpose of having a “mutually beneficial” exchange and humanitarian assistance in emergency situations. , military training, exchange of operational experiences and missions in maritime space against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.
The decree also authorizes the entry of foreign soldiers from the United States, Mexico, Cuba and Venezuela. In the case of the United States, the rule says that in addition to having humanitarian purposes, there will be a coordinated income with the Nicaraguan army for the development of humanitarian operations, search and rescue missions in situations of natural disasters.
Although the decree also includes US military support for Nicaragua, the undersecretary of the Department of State for hemispheric affairs, Brian Nichols, criticized the measures taken by the National Assembly, arguing that Nicaragua is allowing aid from a country that is violating human rights by invading Ukraine, and called the entry of Russian troops a “provocation” for the hemisphere.
🚨 #NOW The National Assembly of #Nicaragua approves with 78 votes in favor, 0 against and 11 abstentions, a decree that authorizes the entry of foreign troops – among them the Russians – into the country, “for humanitarian purposes”.
— Voice of America (@VozdeAmerica) June 14, 2022
The Government of Costa Rica, a neighboring country that since 1949 decided not to have a national Army, said that it “takes note” of the decree that allows the entry of foreign troops into Nicaragua. For his part, Rodrigo Chaves, the Costa Rican president, expressed his great concern after hearing the news and invited to maintain stability in the region.
Nicaragua has dismissed criticism from the international community, arguing that both Russian and US troops have been invited to cooperate. “Those who are not committed to the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime are those who reject humanitarian aid and the exchange of skills and experiences that other armies have been developing in this area. We value, appreciate and incorporate them into our national Army,” said Walmaro Gutiérrez, deputy of the Nicaraguan National Assembly.
Within the decree, the participation of 80 Russian soldiers on a rotating basis is expected to participate in the elite corps of the Nicaraguan Army, in the same way, 50 Russian soldiers will participate in the Naval Force, Air Force and Transmission Corps.
The ‘Putin Law’ in Nicaragua and the sanctions against Daniel Ortega
The close ties between Russia and Nicaragua are not new. In September 2020, the Foreign Agents Regulation Law, better known as the ‘Putin Law’ due to its similarities to a policy of the Russian president, was approved in Nicaragua. The legislation seeks to declare as “foreign agent” natural persons who engage in activities of political interest in foreign States. This Tuesday, June 14, the European Court condemned the Russian Law for “violating human rights”.
With the approaches of the Russian troops and the ‘Putin Law’, a new tension is created in the American continent, “in this context of war, where Russia is intervening and participating in that war, it generates concern and doubts about the link between Nicaragua and Russia. It is causing concern in neighboring countries, and they are expressing their concern about this link, which could generate a dangerous situation for the social and economic stability of these countries,” said Brooklyn Rivera, deputy of the Nicaraguan National Assembly.
The Foreign Agents Law was promoted in Russia since 2012, but it has been modified, in 2020 the Law that is known today was approved and that has been replicated in a very similar way in countries such as Hungary, Israel, Venezuela, Australia and Nicaragua. Different international organizations have shown their disagreement with said Law.
Russia’s friendly relationship with Nicaragua is not viewed favorably by the countries of the region or by the United States. President Daniel Ortega has openly supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and with the arrival of Russian troops in the Central American country, there are fears of a Russian military closeness to the United States, mainly due to the war scenario that the world is currently experiencing.
The United States has condemned on different occasions the mandate of Daniel Ortega, in November of last year, it imposed strong sanctions against high-ranking officials of the Government of Nicaragua, after denouncing inconsistencies in the third re-election of the president. This week, the State Department canceled 93 visas for Sandinista officials.
With EFE and Reuters
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