Nicaragua’s ties with Russia will continue to deepen

Significance This is the latest in a series of responses to increasing cooperation between Russia and Nicaragua. Russia’s financial struggles limit economic assistance for Nicaragua, but the two nations have stepped up cooperation on security issues and in international forums. Impacts Russian police training will make it more difficult for Nicaraguan civil society to organise opposition to the Ortega government. Nicaragua could act as an envoy for Russia at regional organisations such as the Central American Integration System. Fruitful relations with Russia could encourage El Salvador and Honduras -- also aligned with China -- to court Moscow more. Moscow could send military assets, such as warships, to visit Nicaragua when it wants to send a strategic message to Washington.