The commander of the Nicaraguan Army, Julio César Avilés Castillo, has been sanctioned by the US and identified by the UN for his human rights violations.
MIAMI, United States. – The Nicaraguan Army reported which reinforced military cooperation and strengthened ties with the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) of Cuba within the framework of the official visit that its commander in chief, Army General Julio César Avilés Castillo, has been making to the Island since October 6, with a working meeting with the Minister of the FAR, Army Corps General Álvaro López Miera.
According to the press release from the Nicaraguan Army, during the stay “it is planned to formalize the bilateral collaboration mechanism in matters of defense, security and technical-military cooperation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high levels of trust and coordinated work processes that allow strengthening the solid relations that unite the Army of Nicaragua and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, which contribute from their own capabilities to the security and stability of the region, through the mutual respect of the States and the permanent search for peace.”
The agreed agenda includes “visits to important military units, as well as paying tribute to the National Heroes of Cuba,” according to the same report. Cuban state media, such as Latin Press and Cubadebatereported that Avilés was received by López Miera in Havana.
The visit occurs after Avilés’ tour of China and Russia in September. In Beijing, the military chief declared that “it is evident that China and Russia, together with countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, are making efforts in favor of global peace.” According to EFEalso called for “respect for international law and strengthening existing international military cooperation mechanisms,” and condemned alleged “actions by the European Union and the United States that promote destabilization, aggression and try to violate the security of those of us who defend our right to be sovereign and independent.”
On the same occasion he added that “Western countries continue to create conditions to unleash new wars, wars against sovereign States, to try to prevent or delay the inevitable construction of a multipolar world,” and stated that “decent, free, sovereign countries, such as Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela” continue to “be threatened and attacked” for seeking “to have prosperity and well-being with dignity and social justice for the town”.
In Moscow, Avilés met with the Russian Minister of Defense, Andréi Beloúsov, to address the issue of cooperation between both ministries. The Nicaraguan Army itself reported that the general “expressed his support and admiration for the members of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, who guarantee the security of their nation through the Special Military Operation.” Independent news coverage confirmed the meeting.
The bilateral military link between Havana and Managua has been consolidated in the last year. Last February, Álvaro López Miera attended the swearing-in of Avilés in Managua for a new term as head of the Nicaraguan Army, according to the official Cuban newspaper. Granma.
Avilés, 68, a former Sandinista guerrilla with military studies in Cuba, has led the Nicaraguan Armed Forces since 2010. In May 2020 was sanctioned by the United States for his role in the repression after the social outbreak of April 2018.
In April 2025, the UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua published a report which identifies by name 54 senior officials responsible for serious violations since 2018: among them is Avilés.
