MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Nicaragua on Friday became the first country other than Russia to formally recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, giving Moscow a victory in its battle with Georgia over the two breakaway provinces.

President Daniel Ortega expressed support for Russia's position in a speech Tuesday, but took no formal action until a decree was read at Nicaragua's Foreign Ministry on Friday.

“Nicaragua recognizes the sister republics of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as the newest members of the world's community of independent nations and we welcome them,” the decree said.

Russia has been looking for allies in its war in Georgia. The fighting and resulting international debate has plunged Russia's relations with the West to their post-Cold War low.

Last week, Ortega's ally Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Russia made the right move by recognizing the independence of the two breakaway regions. But Chavez hasn't formally done the same.

Chavez said he fully supports Russia's position and that Venezuela “would do the same if someone dared to attack us.”

The Venezuelan leader has criticized Georgia and has called President Mikhail Saakashvili a “puppet” of Washington.