MANAGUA – Nicaragua's government, led by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, has excluded Cuba and Venezuela from its latest list of countries authorized to send military personnel, naval vessels, and aircraft into Nicaraguan territory, marking a significant change in arrangements that had remained in place since 2020.
According to a report by independent Nicaraguan news outlet Confidencial, the decision is reflected in Presidential Decree 13-2026, which also removes Cuba and Venezuela from the list of countries to which Nicaragua may deploy its own military personnel.
Venezuelan army
The exclusion represents the first time in six years that the two countries have been omitted from Nicaragua's regularly renewed military entry and deployment authorizations.
The permits, which are updated every six months, establish which foreign armed forces may enter Nicaragua for authorized military activities and which countries may receive Nicaraguan military personnel.
Despite the removal of Cuba and Venezuela, Russia, China, the United States, Mexico, and several Central American countries remain on the authorized list.
Thousands of Cuban and Venezuelan Military Personnel Previously Authorized
According to Confidencial's review of previous authorizations, Cuba and Venezuela had maintained a consistent presence in Nicaragua's military cooperation arrangements between 2020 and 2026.
During that period, Cuba reportedly sent approximately 700 military personnel to Nicaragua, averaging around 50 personnel every six months.
Venezuela's participation was considerably larger, with at least 2,190 military personnel reportedly deployed to Nicaragua during the same period.
These figures illustrate the extent of the military cooperation previously authorized between Nicaragua and its two longstanding political allies.
The latest decree, however, no longer includes either country among those permitted to send military personnel, ships, or aircraft into Nicaragua.
The measure also removes authorization for Nicaraguan military deployments to Cuba and Venezuela.
The reported figures reflect Confidencial's review of military cooperation records and have not been independently verified.
Venezuela's Political Changes May Have Influenced Decision
The exclusion of Venezuela comes amid major political and military developments in the South American country.
Security analysts consulted by Confidencial suggested that the decision could be related to the restructuring and withdrawal of Venezuelan military forces following the United States military intervention on January 3, 2026, and the removal of Nicolás Maduro from power.
According to those analysts, the changes in Venezuela's military and political leadership may have affected its ability or willingness to continue participating in international military cooperation arrangements.
However, they cautioned against interpreting the exclusion as definitive evidence of a political rupture between Managua and Caracas.
The removal of Venezuela from the authorization list does not necessarily mean that diplomatic or political relations between the two governments have deteriorated.
Instead, the decision may reflect changing military priorities and operational circumstances following the developments in Venezuela.
Cuba Also Removed From Authorized List
The exclusion of Cuba is particularly noteworthy because Havana has maintained close political and security ties with Nicaragua's government for decades.
Both governments have historically maintained cooperation in several areas, including political relations, security, and military exchanges.
The latest decree represents a departure from the authorization arrangements maintained since 2020.
However, the information reported by Confidencial does not establish why Cuba was excluded or whether the decision signals a broader change in relations between the two countries.
No specific explanation from the Nicaraguan government was included in the reported information.
Russia, China and United States Remain Authorized
While Cuba and Venezuela have been removed, Nicaragua continues to authorize military cooperation involving several other countries.
Russia and China remain on the list, alongside the United States, Mexico, and various Central American nations.
The continued inclusion of these countries indicates that Nicaragua has not abandoned its broader system of foreign military entry and deployment authorizations.
Instead, the latest decree introduces a selective change affecting two governments that have traditionally maintained close relations with Managua.
The authorization system itself does not necessarily mean that all listed countries will deploy military personnel during the period covered by the decree.
It establishes the legal framework under which such activities may be permitted.
Questions Remain About Managua's Intentions
The decision raises questions about whether Nicaragua is adjusting its military cooperation policies in response to changing regional circumstances.
For years, Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua have maintained close political relationships, often coordinating positions on regional and international issues.
The removal of Havana and Caracas from the latest military authorization list is therefore a notable development.
Nevertheless, analysts emphasize that the decree alone is insufficient to establish that Nicaragua has changed its political alliances.
Without an official explanation from the Ortega-Murillo administration, the reasons behind the exclusions remain uncertain.
For now, Presidential Decree 13-2026 marks a documented change in Nicaragua's military authorization arrangements, ending six consecutive years in which Cuba and Venezuela were included among the countries permitted to participate in military activities on Nicaraguan territory.