OREANDA-NEWS Russia's strategy in Central America came as a surprise to the US, says analyst Stephen Blank in his article for The Hill, Gazeta.ru reports.

Blank reminds us that Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega had authorized the temporary deployment of foreign troops on his country's territory for humanitarian purposes. El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, the United States and Venezuela received such a right. Russia also got the right to station its troops in Nicaragua.

The analyst noted that this is the first significant appearance of Russian forces in Central America, an appearance that promises to be important because it could form the basis for a longer Russian military presence in Nicaragua and beyond.

Blank stresses that Russia is building ties with developing countries, thereby increasing its influence. This strategy came as a surprise to the United States.