MOSCOW, April 23 (RIA Novosti) - Guatemala and Nicaragua have introduced a visa-free regime for Russian tourists, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

"Authorities in the Republic of Nicaragua (since March 19) and the Republic of Guatemala (from April 1) have introduced a visa-free entry regime on the territory of these countries for Russians nationals in possession of valid foreign passports and who are visiting as tourists," the ministry said in a statement published on its website.

The move by the two Latin American states to scrap visas follows similar steps by Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Peru, Ecuador and the Dominican Republic. Argentina and Russia have also signed a visa free deal, which is due to come into force in the near future.

Russian and Chilean presidents, Dmitry Medvedev and Michelle Bachelet, also stated their intention to work towards a visa-free travel regime for tourists during a meeting in April.