Q24N — The dictatorship of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo has crossed a new “red line” that threatens U.S. national security by turning Nicaragua into Russia’s main military platform in Latin America.
On Wednesday, the Russian Senate approved the ratification of the military cooperation agreement signed with Nicaragua, a step that formalizes and consolidates the defense partnership between the two countries, positioning Nicaragua as a direct threat to the United States.
This goes beyond the 2022 authorized entry of Russian troops, ships, and aircraft for training, humanitarian, and law enforcement purposes. Regional observers and opposition leaders claim Nicaragua has effectively been converted into a “Russian military base” due to the depth of Kremlin control over specific facilities such as the Mokorón Military Base (Unit 502), located south of Managua, widely identified as a sophisticated Russian espionage and SIGINT (signals intelligence) center.
The GLONASS Satellite Station. Inaugurated in 2017 near Nejapa, in southeast Managua, this facility for Russia’s Global Navigation Satellite System is officially for civilian use but is frequently cited by international experts as a cover for intelligence gathering.
The document, originally signed on September 22, 2025, in Moscow by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Nicaraguan Army Chief General Julio César Avilés, establishes the legal framework for defining the objectives, areas, and modalities of bilateral military cooperation.
Among the main lines of work contemplated are “the exchange of information on matters of mutual interest in defense, coordination to confront common threats to regional and global security, the joint fight against international terrorism, extremism, and piracy, and the exchange of experiences and joint force training.”
Protecting Russian Military Personnel
Furthermore, the agreement includes provisions to protect the legal interests of Russian military personnel serving on missions in Nicaraguan territory.
In recent years, Nicaragua has consolidated its position as one of Russia’s closest allies in Latin America. Nicaragua has publicly supported Russia’s positions on the international stage, such as the recognition of the annexation of Ukrainian territories and the separatist regions of Georgia.
With this ratification—which completes the parliamentary process following prior approval—both governments seek to stabilize and ensure the continuity of their relationship in the defense sector, amidst growing geopolitical tensions worldwide.
This new measure will take effect once it is officially published through Russian legal channels.
The US has warned about the Russian military presence in Nicaragua
The United States government has warned about the presence of Russian military personnel in Nicaragua and has described this military collaboration as a threat to its security.
“Russia continues to project maritime power in the Western Hemisphere by deploying a variety of warships, from submarines to destroyers and collection vessels, in Nicaragua and other countries in the region,” said General Francis Donovan, head of the US Southern Command, last March.
Likewise, U.S. intelligence agencies have warned about the Russian presence in several countries in the region, including Nicaragua.
A report, called the Annual Threat Assessment, by the U.S. Intelligence Community, comprised of 17 agencies and organizations, including the CIA, the FBI, and military intelligence services, recently addressed the Nicaraguan case.
“China, Russia, and Iran seek to maintain their economic, political, and military engagement with Latin America, which could conflict with U.S. interests in the region. Chinese demand for raw materials is likely to drive further economic expansion into Latin America, while Russia is likely to expand its existing diplomatic and security ties with Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela,” states the document, which projects to 2026.
Translated and adapted from reports at Nicaraguainvestiga.com, 100noticias.tv, and Laprensani.com.