Moscow, 05 Feb (RT)- Russian soldiers could be sent to Nicaragua under laws already in place in the Central American nation Moscow’s ambassador in Managua, Alexander Khokholikov, told RIA Novosti amid a new standoff with Washington over the prospect of the Kremlin stepping up its military presence in the region.

The remarks come after Putin agreed to increase military cooperation with Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela.

Speaking to RIA Novosti on Friday, Alexander Khokholikov, who also serves as the envoy to Honduras and El Salvador,
commented on the possibility of hosting overseas forces within Nicaragua's borders.

“The government passes a law annually on the foreign military presence in Nicaraguan territory,” he explained. “It provides for the possibility of the transit and presence of servicemen, as well as military equipment from a number of countries, including Russia and, incidentally, the US, for the exchange of experience in the field of military cooperation, joint exercises, and activities in the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime.”