Nicaragua to sever diplomatic ties with Italy after Tajani calls it 'extremist' over harbouring Red Brigades terrorist

Decades-old extradition demand

The kidnapping and murder of former Italian prime minister Aldo Moro in 1978 remains one of the darkest chapters of Italy's post-war history. Moro, a leader of the Christian Democrats, was seized by the far-left Red Brigades in Rome on 16 March 1978 and found dead in the boot of a car 55 days later. Alessio Casimirri, a former member of the group, was convicted in absentia and sentenced to six life terms for his role in the Via Fani ambush and the assassination. He fled to Nicaragua, where he later obtained citizenship, and Italy has sought his extradition for decades without success.

Tajani's Madrid speech triggers crisis

The latest escalation began on 15 July, when Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani addressed the European People's Party summit in Madrid marking the EPP's 50th anniversary. Tajani said Italy "does not share anything with the vision of extremist governments such as that of Nicaragua, a country that still provides protection to dangerous terrorists from the Red Brigades, such as Alessio Casimirri." He demanded that Casimirri face Italian justice.

Nicaragua retaliates overnight

Within hours, the Nicaraguan government reacted. Overnight, the Italian embassy in Managua received a formal protest letter, and the Italian foreign ministry was immediately informed. On 16 July, Nicaragua's foreign ministry announced its intention to sever diplomatic relations with Italy, a move first reported by Corriere della Sera and confirmed by ANSA sources. The Ortega government framed the decision as a direct response to Tajani's remarks.

Italy stands firm

Tajani did not back down. In a foreign ministry statement issued on 16 July, he reiterated that Italy would continue to demand Casimirri's extradition.

Italy will continue to demand that Casimirri answer to the Italian justice system for the crimes of which he has been found guilty, as has already been requested in a European Parliament resolution.

He added a blunt message to Managua.

We tell Nicaragua that granting immunity to a criminal is unacceptable.

The ministry stressed that Italy's foreign policy is grounded in respect for international law, dialogue, and democratic values, and that Rome remains open to dialogue with all countries while defending justice, freedom, and legality.

European Parliament and MEPs weigh in

The European Parliament recently approved a resolution condemning the Nicaraguan regime and explicitly calling for Casimirri's extradition. Carlo Fidanza, head of the Fratelli d'Italia delegation in the European Parliament, said the Ortega government should "account for its own crimes rather than break diplomatic relations with Italy, which legitimately demands the extradition of the terrorist Casimirri." He noted that the resolution passed with a large majority, including votes from socialist MEPs who are usually reluctant to condemn left-wing Latin American regimes. Nicola Procaccini, co-president of the ECR group and former mayor of Terracina, called the extradition a "moral, legal and institutional duty towards the state and the memory of all victims of terrorism," recalling that Moro was an honorary citizen of Terracina, where he spent summers with his family.

What comes next

Nicaragua has notified its intention to break ties, but the rupture has not yet been formalised. The Italian foreign ministry says it remains open to dialogue, while insisting that the extradition demand will not be withdrawn. The standoff adds a new layer of tension to a relationship already strained by European criticism of the Ortega government's human rights record.