In a ceremony last night marking the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Nicaraguan Army’s Naval Force, Ortega also presented the same distinction to Admiral Ashraf Abdel Hadi Suleimán Gutiérrez, Commander-in-Chief of the venezuelan Bolivarian Navy.

According to reports, the distinction was given to these senior officers in recognition of their strengthening relations with the Naval Force of the Army of this Central American nation.

The Sandinista leader also presented the Medal of Honor for Merit in Friendship and Cooperation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Honduran Naval Force, Rear Admiral Austacil Hagarin Tomé Flores, and to the Commander-in-Chief of the Salvadoran Navy, Captain Omar Hernández.

He also awarded the Medal of Honor for Naval Merit, First and Second Class, to several Nicaraguan Navy officers in recognition of their fulfillment of missions to safeguard national sovereignty, combat illegal fishing, organized crime, drug trafficking, illegal migration, protect natural resources, and conduct search, rescue, and rescue operations.

At the ceremony, which was also attended by Co-President Rosario Murillo and the highest authorities of the Nicaraguan Army and Police, the Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Force, Rear Admiral Ángel Fonseca, highlighted the institution’s commitment to defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of this Central American nation.

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