Nicaraguan leader defends military ties with Russia

Nicaragua's president Saturday defended his country's right to strengthen its military with Russian help, seemingly backtracking on statements earlier in the week shrugging off suggestions of increased cooperation.

Daniel Ortega said Nicaragua was "committed to further strengthening and modernizing the army" with the help of any country willing to provide aid, especially in respect to the Central American nation's fight against drug trafficking.

Ortega said Russia has in recent years granted "extraordinary" and "sustained" cooperation "without putting a single condition."


Source: AFP