Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.Image: keystone
Jul 17, 2026, 01:46Jul 17, 2026, 01:46
Nicaragua’s authoritarian government has severed diplomatic ties with Italy after Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani accused it of protecting a former member of the Red Brigades terror group. Nicaragua’s decision was the result of Tajani’s “unjustified, aggressive and irresponsible statements,” said the Central American country’s foreign ministry.
At a meeting of the European People’s Party in Madrid, Tajani called on Nicaragua to extradite Alessio Casimirri. As a member of the Brigate Rosse, he is said to have been involved in the assassination of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro in 1978. Casimirri has lived in Nicaragua since 1983, where he received Nicaraguan citizenship. In Italy he was sentenced to six life sentences.
Rome says: Victims of terrorism will not be forgotten
Italy’s Foreign Ministry had previously said that Nicaragua had informed Rome of its intention to end diplomatic relations. Rome said: “The Italian government has not forgotten the victims of terrorism and continues to demand that those responsible for the most serious crimes against the state and Italian citizens be held accountable.” This also applies to Casimirri.
Moro, then leader of the Italian Christian Democrats, was kidnapped by a Red Brigade commando in Rome in March 1978. Five of his bodyguards were shot. His body was found in a car in Rome 55 days later. At the time, many drew parallels to the actions of the terrorist Red Army Faction (RAF) in Germany. (sda/dpa)