In a controversial move raising red flags among human rights experts, Nicaragua’s authoritarian regime has ratified a “mutual protection” agreement with Russia, granting sweeping legal immunity to each other’s top leaders and officials. Signed on June 20, 2025, in St. Petersburg by Russia’s Justice Minister and Laureano Ortega—son of Nicaragua’s ruling couple—the agreement aims to block the authority of international justice systems, particularly the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Nicaraguan National Assembly, dominated by loyalists to Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, approved the pact on July 10 without opposition. It offers absolute immunity to both countries’ presidents, foreign ministers, and other high-ranking current and former officials. If they take refuge in each other’s territories, they are guaranteed personal inviolability and exemption from court appearances, detainment, or extradition—even if requested by international tribunals.

Legal experts argue the agreement is designed to provide a safe exit plan for Nicaragua’s rulers should their regime collapse. Human rights attorney Uriel Pineda described it as “Plan B,” a strategic measure ensuring the Ortegas could flee to Russia to avoid arrest and prosecution for alleged crimes against humanity. Article 7 of the accord, which explicitly protects Nicaragua’s “co-presidents,” and Article 11, which blocks extradition in the case of constitutional changes, suggest the regime anticipates a potentially violent or abrupt end.

Nicaragua’s critics argue the agreement attempts to obstruct justice and ensure impunity. Salvador Marenco of the Nicaragua Nunca Más Human Rights Collective emphasized that such agreements cannot legally override the ICC’s mandate on crimes against humanity. Still, in practice, the deal creates a haven for those named in existing arrest warrants.

In response to ongoing abuses, a UN-appointed Group of Human Rights Experts has urged international governments to bring a case against Ortega and his inner circle at the ICC. The group has identified 54 individuals responsible for systemic violations—including torture, extrajudicial killings, and persecution—since 2018. Ortega and Murillo top the list.

Nicaragua has further isolated itself by withdrawing from numerous international bodies, including the UN Human Rights Council, in what experts view as a coordinated retreat from global oversight.

In sum, the Russia-Nicaragua pact is not only a legal maneuver—it’s a clear signal that Ortega and Murillo are preparing for a post-regime future where international accountability might come knocking.