Daniel Ortega
© Getty Images / Jesus VargasNicaraguan President Daniel Ortega
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, comparing both politicians to Nazi Germany's Adolf Hitler.

Ortega made the remarks on Monday at an event to mark the 45th anniversary of the Nicaraguan police. In his speech, the president blasted Netanyahu, comparing his policies to those of the Nazis.

"At the head of the Israeli government there is a prime minister who is the son of the devil. Why? Because he practices a policy of terror and is Hitler," Ortega said.

He also lashed out at Israel's Western backers, saying the actions of the EU nations and the US are bound to either "lead the planet to a total war" or result in their complete defeat.

Zelensky was similarly assessed by Ortega, whom he also compared to Hitler.

"[Zelensky] is another Nazi, another son of Hitler, wanting to compromise NATO into going to war against Russia," he said. Ortega has long been critical of the Ukrainian leader, repeatedly labelling him a Nazi.

The president's remarks come after Nicaragua formally severed ties with Israel, citing the "brutal genocide that the fascist and war criminal government of Israel continues to commit against the Palestinian people."

According to a resolution passed by the National Assembly on Friday, the Israeli government is "an enemy of humanity, which intends to spread its barbarism throughout the Middle East, endangering world peace and security."

Nicaragua has long had a complicated relationship with Israel, with prolonged periods in which the two nations have had no diplomatic ties. Israel and Nicaragua mended ties in 2017 after they were severed by Ortega in 2010.