Nicaragua has recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia, backing Russia's stance on the breakaway Georgian regions and siding with other leftist Latin American nations to defy Washington.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has criticized Georgia's attempt to regain control of South Ossetia and supported a counterattack by Russia.

Venezuela and Cuba have sided with Russia in the dispute, but Ortega went further in fully recognizing the regions' independence.

"The government of Nicaragua recognizes the independence of the republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and we are completely with the Russian government's position," Ortega said in a speech late on Tuesday, Reuters reports.