The United States has urged the Nicaraguan government to destroy its stockpile of shoulder fired missiles for fear they could fall into the hands of terrorists.
State Department official Rose Likins said the missiles are the "preferred weapons" for international terrorists and as a responsible member of the international community, Nicaragua should consider the safety of commercial aviation.
Ms. Likins is part of U.S. delegation in Nicaragua this week to discuss destruction of the Soviet-made missiles.
State Department officials say Nicaragua destroyed about 1,000 of the missiles last year, but they say another 1,000 remain.
Some members of Nicaragua's legislature say the missiles are needed for national security.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.