(posted Oct. 1, 10:20 a.m.)- The Russian government is prepared to supply Nicaragua with equipment and weapons aid the war on drugs, according to Viktor Ivanov, head of Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service, as quoted by Russian media.
Ivanov reportedly made the announcement today in Moscow following a meeting with Nicaraguan Police Chief Aminta Granera, who has been in Russia since last week.
Russian media outlet RT quoted Granera as saying that Nicaragua was grateful for Russia’s offer of “specialized equipment, which will strengthen the ability of Nicaraguan police to deter crime.”
During the first meeting between Ivanov and Granera held last February in Managua, the Russian drug tsar promised a new Russian-funded anti-narcotics training center in Nicaragua. That pledge of support has not been mentioned since.
Specifics regarding the type of equipment and weapons that Russia is now promising Nicaragua, or the cost of that drug-war package, were not immediately available. The Nicaraguan government has not yet commented on the media reports from Moscow.
Nicaragua has, however, dramatically increased its military aid from Russia over the past few years. A source tells The Nicaragua Dispatch that Russia last year provided Nicaragua with $26.5 million in military aid, compared to about $3 million from the U.S. military.
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Why does Nicaragua NEED military aid???? If they were really fighting a “war on drugs”, they’d start with their own politicians and police force. Needless to say, that money could be better spent elsewhere.
The reason for this is really nothing to do with Nicaragua needing arms to fight the war on drugs, as opposed to Vladimir Putin having expansionist aims in world trade and resources. Just like China.
He is, however, a pariah in most of Latin america and the leaders won´t touch him. Only the weakest link, headed by a Quasi-socialist rebel of the old-school, who doesn´t have that much to lose, and doesn´t ask to many questions.
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American taxpayers are being forced to pay $40 Billion a year for a prohibition that causes 10,000 brutal murders & 800,000 needless arrests each year, but which doesn’t even stop CHILDREN getting marijuana.
After seventy-five years of prohibition, it’s obvious that the federal marijuana prohibition causes FAR more harm than good and must END! Drug Dealers Don’t Card, Supermarkets Do.
The war on drugs is still being fought for the reason of big business and their lobbyist influencing our politicians. Any war is profitable. Each gun being fired, missile being dropped means some one is making $$$. Prisons have also become big business and locking people up is a sold service. Less education, less health and less social projects for common people but instead lobbyist and consequently politicians are advocates for more money spent on our security which historically means more aggression and less rights. Are people that blind?
Putin’s motives should be the bigger concern here. $26.5 million in aid to the military does not come without expectations and strings attached. I would tend to believe it has nothing to do with the national security of Nicaragua nor drugs. Putin has made his rounds this year and in his meeting with Obama, Obama did not know there was an open microphone nearby and whispered to Putin, “I’ll be able to do more after I’m re-elected.” That’s scary.