Nicaragua severs ties with Italy over terror fugitive
July 17 (UPI) -- Nicaragua has severed diplomatic relations with Italy after Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani renewed calls for the extradition of Alessio Casimirri, a former member of the militant Red Brigades convicted in Italy for his role in the kidnapping and killing of former Prime Minister Aldo Moro in 1978.
Speaking at an international event organized by the European People's Party in Madrid, Tajani described the government of President Daniel Ortega as "extremist," criticized Nicaragua for sheltering Casimirri and accused it of refusing to over Casimirri to Italian authorities, according to Deutsche Welle.
"We share nothing with the vision of extremist governments such as Nicaragua, a country that protects dangerous Red Brigades terrorists such as Alessio Casimirri, who killed Aldo Moro, one of Italy's most important Christian Democratic politicians. This man lives freely in Nicaragua. That is unacceptable to us," Tajani said.
He added that Italy has not forgotten the victims of terrorism and will continue demanding that Casimirri face justice.
In response, Nicaragua's government formally notified Italy on Thursday that it was ending diplomatic relations between the two countries. According to Nicaraguan media reports, the decision was conveyed through a diplomatic note sent to the Italian government by the administration led by Ortega and co-President Rosario Murillo.
The move comes amid growing tensions between Nicaragua and several European governments, which in recent years have expressed concern over the country's political situation, democratic institutions and human rights record, according to local outlet Vision24.
Casimirri, 74, was sentenced in Italy to six life terms. Italian courts found him responsible for participating in the attack that killed five security officers and in the kidnapping and subsequent killing of Moro in 1978.
Casimirri has lived in Nicaragua since 1983, obtained Nicaraguan citizenship and for years has operated businesses in the restaurant industry, according to digital news outlet 100% Noticias.
Italy has repeatedly sought his extradition, but Ortega's government has consistently rejected those requests.
In recent years, the governments of Ortega and Murillo have pursued a confrontational foreign policy, leading to diplomatic breaks and heightened tensions with several countries and international organizations following criticism of Nicaragua's human rights record and political policies.
Copyright 2026 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.