During an event lmmarking the 47th anniversary of the Nicaraguan Air Force and Air Defense, Ortega urged the United States to focus greater efforts on combating drug consumption within U.S. territory.

  The leader stated that Washington spends millions of dollars promoting wars, occupying countries, and carrying out actions he described as violations of international law, rather than tackling the problem of drug trafficking and narcotics consumption in U.S. cities.

  Ortega cited the case of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, whom he identified as victims of a kidnapping by the United States—an event he described as a “terrorist and criminal” act.

  “Instead of focusing on combating drug trafficking within the United States, on fighting drug consumption in U.S. cities, and on exercising greater surveillance and control—despite having the capabilities to do so—they use their forces to go and bomb other countries,” Ortega said.

  He also stated that Nicaragua will continue to strengthen cooperation with Latin American countries to develop joint operations and coordination mechanisms that allow for confronting drug trafficking and organized crime, while consolidating the region’s autonomy and sovereignty.

  Ortega emphasized, “The Nicaraguan people feel empowered and are fully prepared to further strengthen the Army, the Nicaraguan Armed Forces, and the Police. That is the great containment wall we are building.”

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