Nicaragua–Russia relations

Nicaragua–Russia relations refers to the bilateral relations between Russia and Nicaragua.

Russian-Nicaraguan relations

Russia
Nicaragua
Embassy of Nicaragua in Moscow

Diplomatic missions were signed on October 18, 1979, between Nicaragua and the Soviet Union a few months after the Sandinista revolution.[1] Russia is sole successor to the Soviet Union, so ties have naturally continued with Russia since the Belavezha Accords. Russia has an embassy in Managua. Nicaragua has an embassy in Moscow.

In November 2020, Nicaragua opened an honorary consulate on the Crimean peninsula.

Relations with Sandinistas

The USSR developed great relations with the Sandinistas after the overthrow of the Somoza family. During the 1980s, the Soviet Union provided full political, economic, military, and diplomatic support to the left wing government of Nicaragua. This was not only a reaction to the Contra resistance movement but a full-fledged alliance with Soviet Union, which provided free credit, economic subsidies and heavy weapon grants. The Nicaraguans got at no cost armaments such as heavily armed MI-24 attack helicopters (Hinds), and Mi-17 transport helicopters.[2][3][4]

Nicaragua voted consistently for Communist causes during the 1980s. Cuban army and political delegates, subsidized by Russian money, were permanently staffed in Nicaragua, making the country a member of the Communist bloc. After Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega returned to power in 2007 Russia took over the patron role for Nicaragua[5] Nicaragua was the second country after Russia to recognize the disputed territories of South Ossetia[6] and Abkhazia.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9] During the visit, Russian officials donated about $200,000 worth of generators and computers to hospitals, police, and the army.[10]

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.[11] 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.[12] In April 2009, Nicaragua dropped the requirement for Russian tourists to obtain visas.[13]

After Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine on 18 March 2014, the Nicaraguan government officially recognized Crimea as a part of Russia.[14][15]

On July 12, 2014, Vladimir Putin made an Official State Visit to Nicaragua. held a meeting in Managua with President of Nicaragua Daniel Ortega.[16]

Laguna de Nejapa, a volcanic crater in Managua, will host a GLONASS satellite site. Some Western media have speculated that it may be used for signals intelligence.[17]

See also

References
  1. David Ryan (2000). US foreign policy in world history. Routledge. p. 172ff. ISBN 0-415-12345-3.
  2. Kinzer, Stephen (28 March 1984). "Soviet Help to Sandinistas: No Blank Check". The New York Times.
  3. "The Sandinistas: Ideology and Domestic Politics". Understanding the Iran-Contra Affairs. Brown University.
  4. Trainor, Bernard E. (1988-02-06). "CONTRA AID CUTOFF: A SETBACK, NOT A DEATH BLOW". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  5. "Second chance for Nicaragua's Ortega". BBC News. 2006-11-08. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  6. "El Presidente de la República Nicaragua Decreto No. 46-2008" (PDF). Government of Nicaragua. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  7. "El Presidente de la República Nicaragua Decreto No. 47-2008" (PDF). Government of Nicaragua. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  8. "Russia seeks close ties with US ex-foe Nicaragua". Reuters. 2008-09-18. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  9. "Ortega says Russian Navy to visit despite political problems-2". RIA Novosti. 2008-12-12. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  10. "Russian Warships Visit Cold War Ally Nicaragua". Radio Free Europe. 2008-12-14. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  11. "Russia, Nicaragua sign deals after presidents' meeting". RIA Novosti. 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  12. "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.
  13. "Nicaragua, Guatemala scrap visas for Russian tourists". RIA Novosti. 2009-04-23. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  14. "Nicaragua recognizes Crimea as part of Russia". Kyivpost.com. 2014-03-27. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  15. "Nicaragua unconditionally recognizes incorporation of Crimea into Russia". The Voice of Russia. 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  16. "Ortega Celebrates Putin's Nicaragua Visit as a 'Ray of Light'". Moscow Times. 2014-07-12. Retrieved 2014-07-13.
  17. Partlow, Joshua (April 8, 2017). "The Soviet Union fought the Cold War in Nicaragua. Now Putin's Russia is back". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 9, 2017. Speculation is rife that the new Russian satellite site on the lip of the Laguna de Nejapa crater will be a spy facility, even though Nicaraguan officials have said it will be used for GLONASS, Russia’s equivalent of GPS.


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