MANAGUA, Nicaragua – A Nicaraguan army official says three Russian navy ships have left the Central American country after a brief visit here that stirred heated debate and underscored deep political divisions.
Lt. Col. Juan Morales says the destroyer Admiral Chabanenko and two support vessels left Sunday after delivering $200,000 in medicine, computers and other humanitarian aid.
Morales denied the ships left early because of opposition to the visit. They were scheduled to leave Monday.
Leftist President Daniel Ortega said he was authorized to approve the visit, but opposition lawmakers argued that the constitution requires congressional approval for visits by foreign military forces.
The warships previously visited ally Venezuela and sailed through the Panama Canal.
