Nicaragua-Italy Diplomatic Rift Deepens Over Moro Case Dispute

Nicaragua has ended diplomatic relations with Italy following a renewed dispute over the extradition of an Italian former militant convicted in connection with the 1978 kidnapping and murder of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro.

The decision has further strained ties between the two countries and brought renewed attention to a case that has remained unresolved for decades.

The diplomatic fallout came after Italy once again urged Nicaragua to extradite Alessio Casimirri, a former member of the Red Brigades who has been living in the Central American nation for more than 40 years.

Nicaragua rejected Italy's criticism, calling it interference in its internal affairs, and announced it was cutting diplomatic ties.

• Nicaragua cuts diplomatic ties with Italy over Moro case dispute
• Italy renews extradition demand in decades old Aldo Moro case
• Diplomatic rift grows as Nicaragua rejects Italy extradition request

Italy Renews Extradition Demand

Nicaragua's Foreign Ministry said the decision was prompted by comments made by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who accused the country of sheltering a convicted terrorist. Italy has repeatedly requested extradition, arguing that those responsible for one of the country's darkest chapters should face justice.

Tajani responded by saying Italy would continue seeking Casimirri's return despite Nicaragua's decision. He stressed that the government remains committed to delivering justice for the victims of terrorism and their families.

Moro, a former prime minister and leader of Italy's Christian Democratic Party, was kidnapped by the Red Brigades in March 1978. The armed group held him captive for 55 days before killing him. His body was later found inside a car in central Rome, in an incident that shocked Italy and became one of the defining moments of the country's political violence.

Long-Running Legal Deadlock

Casimirri fled Italy in 1983 and later settled in Nicaragua, where he became a Nicaraguan citizen in 1989. He has since built a life in Managua, where he runs an Italian restaurant. Although he has admitted to being a member of the Red Brigades, he has consistently denied taking part in Moro's murder.

Italy's efforts to secure his extradition have repeatedly failed because Nicaragua's constitution does not allow the extradition of its own citizens. A previous attempt by the Nicaraguan government to revoke Casimirri's citizenship was overturned by the country's Supreme Court, which ruled that nationality could only be withdrawn through judicial proceedings. The two countries also do not have an extradition treaty, leaving Italy with limited legal options.

The decision to cut diplomatic ties marks a new low in relations between Nicaragua and Italy. While Nicaragua says it is defending its sovereignty and legal system, Italy maintains that the issue is about ensuring justice in one of the most significant terrorism cases in its history.

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Although diplomatic channels have now been closed, Italy has indicated that it will continue pursuing the case. The latest development shows how historical events can continue to influence international relations decades after they first unfolded, with the Moro case remaining an important issue for Italy's government and the families affected by the tragedy.