Diplomatic Fallout: Nicaragua Cuts Ties with Italy Over Extradition Standoff

Nicaragua severed ties with Italy following demands for the extradition of Alessio Casimirri, a former Red Brigades militant linked to the kidnapping and murder of Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro. This decision comes amid longstanding tensions over Casimirri's shelter in Nicaragua and criticism from Italian officials.

Nicaragua officially cut diplomatic relations with Italy on Thursday, escalating tensions over Italy’s persistent request to extradite Alessio Casimirri, implicated in the 1978 abduction and assassination of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro.

The conflict intensified after comments from Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who criticized Nicaragua for providing refuge to Casimirri, urging the Central American country to extradite him.

Despite being granted citizenship in 1989, Casimirri was insulated by Nicaragua's constitutional ban on extraditing nationals, coupled with the absence of an extradition treaty with Italy, leaving the decades-long legal battle unresolved.