Nicaragua and the U.S. have pledged to work more closely in the fight against drug gangs who smuggle narcotics through South and Central America.
President Daniel Ortega met with a U.S. delegation headed by officials with the State Department and Drug Enforcement Administration in the capital city, Managua, on Monday.
A statement by the U.S. embassy said officials are evaluating Nicaragua's anti-narcotics efforts.
The statement also said the U.S. and Nicaragua hope to bolster joint efforts to combat drug trafficking.
President Ortega said more help is needed for social programs in the country's poorest regions where drug crime is especially bad.
U.S. officials are also studying El Salvador's fight against drug gangs.
Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.