Nicaragua–Russia relations

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Russian-Nicaraguan relations

Russia
Nicaragua
Embassy of Nicaragua in Moscow

Nicaragua–Russia relations are the relationships between the two countries, Russia and Nicaragua. Both countries signed diplomatic missions on October 18, 1979, a few months after the Sandinista revolution.[1] Russia has an embassy in Managua. Nicaragua has an embassy in Moscow.

During the struggle between the Sandinistas and the US-backed Contras in the 1980s, The Soviet Union provided armaments such as heavily armed MI-24 attack helicopters (Hinds), and Mi-17 transport helicopters.[2]

The relationship cooled after the Sandinistas left office in 1990, but improved when Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega returned to power in 2006.[3] Nicaragua was the second country after Russia to recognize the disputed territories of South Ossetia[4] and Abkhazia.[5] In September 2008, perhaps in response to Nicaragua's support over the breakaway Georgian territories, Russia offered to strengthen ties with Nicaragua and to provide aid to Nicaragua to help rebuild areas damaged by hurricanes.[6]

In December 2008, Russian warships visited Nicaragua at the invitation of president Daniel Ortega, although Wilfredo Navarro of the opposition Constitutionalist Liberal Party said that without parliamentary approval the naval visit would be a breach of the Constitution.[7] During the visit, Russian officials donated about $200,000 worth of generators and computers to hospitals, police, and the army.[8]

Shortly after, on December 18, 2008, Russia and Nicaragua concluded several bilateral agreements after talks between presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Daniel Ortega in Moscow, including Memorandums of understanding between the countries' agriculture ministries, and between the Russian Federal Space Agency and Nicaragua's Telecommunications and Postal Service Institute.[9] Russian support has become more important to Nicaragua following withdrawal in late 2008 of US and European aid due to concerns about electoral fraud and handling of human rights and democracy.[10] In April 2009, Nicaragua dropped the requirement for Russian tourists to obtain visas.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ David Ryan (2000). US foreign policy in world history. Routledge. p. 172ff. ISBN 0-415-12345-3. 
  2. ↑ Trainor, Bernard E. (1988-02-06). "CONTRA AID CUTOFF: A SETBACK, NOT A DEATH BLOW". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  3. ↑ "Second chance for Nicaragua's Ortega". BBC News. 2006-11-08. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  4. ↑ "El Presidente de la República Nicaragua Decreto No. 46-2008". Government of Nicaragua. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  5. ↑ "El Presidente de la República Nicaragua Decreto No. 47-2008". Government of Nicaragua. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  6. ↑ "Russia seeks close ties with US ex-foe Nicaragua". Reuters. 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  7. ↑ "Ortega says Russian Navy to visit despite political problems-2". RIA Novosti. 2008-12-12. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  8. ↑ "Russian Warships Visit Cold War Ally Nicaragua". Radio Free Europe. 2008-12-14. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  9. ↑ "Russia, Nicaragua sign deals after presidents' meeting". RIA Novosti. 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  10. ↑ "Nicaragua's Ortega defiant after US, Europe yank aid: President Daniel Ortega is turning to Russia and Venezuela for replacement cash – with fewer strings attached.". Christian Science Monitor. 2008-12-05. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  11. ↑ "Nicaragua, Guatemala scrap visas for Russian tourists". RIA Novosti. 2009-04-23. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
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