The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the US Department of Commerce announced on March 14, 2024, that due to Nicaraguas deteriorating human rights situation and increasing military cooperation with Russia, the US will impose stricter export control policies on Nicaragua. This adjustment moves Nicaragua from the relatively lenient country group B to the stricter country group D5.

Country Group D5 is a classification in U.S. export controls, primarily including countries subject to U.S. arms embargoes. Countries in this group face stricter licensing requirements when obtaining items controlled for national security reasons. Additionally, countries classified under D5 will be subject to restrictions on military end-use and military end-user.

Nicaraguas inclusion in Group D5 marks its addition to the list of 23 other countries, including Afghanistan, Belarus, Myanmar, Central African Republic, China, Cuba, Iraq, and Russia, making it the 24th country subject to this level of control.

This policy adjustment further strains diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Nicaragua. International reactions to this move vary, with some countries and organizations likely to support the U.S. decision, while others may criticize it as excessive interference in another countrys internal affairs.