Nicaragua's authoritarian leader, Daniel Ortega, has pledged to dispatch "Sandinista fighters" to support his ally, Nicolás Maduro, in Venezuela, should there be an attempt at an "armed counterrevolution" following the contentious presidential election in July. Maduro's claim of victory has faced significant scrutiny from both the opposition and international observers, leading to widespread protests in Venezuela. The unrest has resulted in the deaths of at least 24 civilians and one soldier, with government forces detaining around 2,000 individuals who are sympathetic to the opposition.

During a virtual summit with other Latin American leaders, Ortega expressed his readiness to assist Maduro, stating that if conflict arises, "they (Maduro’s government) will have Sandinista fighters accompanying them." The term "Sandinista" in Nicaragua typically refers to members of the leftist Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), the political party that Ortega leads, which came to power following the Nicaraguan Revolution in the late 1970s.

Ortega did not clarify whether he was referring to police, military personnel, or pro-government militias, which human rights organizations have accused of participating in crackdowns alongside the police—allegations that Ortega has denied. has sought comments from the Nicaraguan government regarding this matter.

Ortega also took the opportunity to criticize other leftist leaders in the region, including Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Colombia's Gustavo Petro, for their refusal to acknowledge Maduro's election victory, which marks his third consecutive term. Ortega, who is currently serving his fifth term, has faced accusations of electoral manipulation in the past.