Country Near US Allows Putin’s Forces to Train, Run Military Drills Within Its Borders

OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.

Nicaragua, which is located in Central America, has approved Russian forces to train within its borders and conduct military drills.

This allows 230 Russian troops to enter Nicaragua beginning in July and lasting through the end of the year. They will reportedly “patrol the Pacific along with the Nicaraguan Army,” according to Reuters.

Brian Nichols, the head of western hemisphere affairs at the State Department, said, “We consider this a provocation by the Nicaraguan regime.”

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on officials from Nicaragua. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega approved the order with Russia.

In addition to troops, the decree also applies to military equipment from Russia.

Although Joe Biden and the U.S. has objected to this new decree by Nicaragua, it’s not expected to have any impact.

More on this story via Fox News:

The assembly approved the measure on Tuesday after the U.S. sanctioned 93 Nicaraguan officials, including judges, prosecutors, lawmakers and interior ministry officials over the holding of 180 alleged political prisoners.

“First things first—the emperor has no clothes, and anyone concerned about the future of open societies and liberal democracy should denounce Ortega’s regime as a brutal dictatorship,” Roberto Salinas-Leon, Director for the Center for Latin America at the Atlas Network, told Fox News Digital. “More sanctions may lead to a ‘double-down’ show of a false sense of ‘national sovereignty.’”

“The people of Nicaragua will be the ones that most suffer from this new impasse,” he added. “Surely, not inviting Ortega to the Summit for the Americas turned out to be the right call.”

Ortega has remained in power for 15 years, and during that time relations between the two countries have grown more strained due to a number of issues, most notably accusations of U.S. interference.

Ortega has voiced support for Russia’s invasion in Ukraine and has had Nicaragua abstain from condemning Russia in a vote the U.N. and also voted against removing Russia from the U.N.Human Rights Council.

“Despite U.S. and international sanctions, Ortega continues to hail his rule as an outcome of democratic representation—torturing and jailing anyone who dares stands in his path,” Leon said. “What is the proper response in the face of such defiance and the significant deterioration of U.S.-Nicaragua relations?” Salinas-Leon asked.