Managua, Jul 31 — Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega suggested the United States exchange more than half of the 1,051 ground-to-air missiles in the hands of the Nicaraguan Army for helicopters or medical equipment and medicine.
We will keep 400 missiles, and give them the rest, but they have to give us something in return. If they don’t want to give helicopters, they could give surgical instruments to improve hospitals, or medicine, Ortega said in a ceremony to mark the 28th anniversary of the Nicaraguan Air Force.
The president explained that it would be a simple swap, and warned that any technological equipment should be new.
“They are quite capable of sending us second-hand stuff,” said the Sandinista leader, who added that the remaining 400 missiles are “untouchable,” and will be renewed when their life-span is over.
In the wake of 9 11, Washington started pressing Nicaragua to destroy its Russian-made SAM-7 missiles in the hands of the local Army since the 80s.
According to the US, these weapons, capable of downing planes in mid-flight, might fall into the hands of international terrorists, which is rejected by the Nicaraguan military, who claim to have the missiles in a safe place.
During the government of ex President Enrique Bolanos (2002-2007), over 1,000 SAM-7s were destroyed. However, as requested by the Sandinista National Liberation Front, Congress intervened, preventing a total disarmament of Nicaragua.
The Nicaraguan Army says that 400 missiles will suffice to defend the country’s airspace.
