Nicaragua announced Thursday the immediate rupture of all diplomatic relations with Italy, accusing FM Antonio Tajani of insulting its people and government.
The Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry declared the rupture as a “forceful expression of our sovereignty and national dignity,” stating that Italian FM Antonio Tajani’s comments violated basic norms of respect between peoples and governments.
The official communiqué from Managua described the Italian Minister’s language as an affront that contrasts sharply with the historical relationship Italy has maintained with Nicaragua and other Latin American nations.
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The decision, communicated officially to the Italian government and embassy in Managua, stems from Tajani’s public reiteration of Italy’s request for the extradition of Alessio Casimirri, a former member of the Red Brigades who has held Nicaraguan citizenship since the 1980s.
“Alessio Casimirri was granted asylum and later citizenship by successive Nicaraguan governments under the principles of non-extradition for political crimes and sovereign right to grant refuge,” the statement read.
#Nicaragua informa su decisión Soberana y Digna de romper toda Relación Diplomática con el Gobierno de #Italia.
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— Canal Parlamentario Nicaragua (@cparlamentonic) July 16, 2026
Text reads: “Nicaragua reports its sovereign and worthy decision to break off all diplomatic relations with the Italian government.”
Daniel Ortega’s administration has consistently refused extradition requests for the former Red Brigades member, arguing that his crimes were political in nature and that he has been fully integrated into Nicaraguan society for over four decades. Italy, however, maintains that the kidnapping and murder of Aldo Moro constitutes a common crime and that no statute of limitations applies.
Historical Ties Strained
The Nicaraguan government recalled that in previous years both countries enjoyed “good times of absolute respect and understanding of our processes” with Italian authorities. “Today we must face this ignoble situation,” the communiqué added, expressing deep regret that aggression of this nature occurs despite the historical bonds between Nicaragua, Italy and other sister nations.
The diplomatic breakdown marks one of the most significant ruptures between a Latin American nation and a European Union member state in recent years. Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had not issued an official response at the time of publication, but diplomatic sources in Rome indicated that the Italian government considers the extradition request a routine legal matter and expressed surprise at the severity of Nicaragua’s reaction.
Nicaragua’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that it will initiate the corresponding procedures to implement the rupture, guaranteeing all necessary processes to give effect to what it described as a “sovereign and dignified decision.”
The break in relations carries immediate consequences for bilateral cooperation, trade and consular services. Thousands of Nicaraguans residing in Italy will lose access to diplomatic representation, while Italian citizens in Nicaragua will need to seek assistance from other European Union embassies in Managua. Cultural exchange programs, development cooperation projects and bilateral trade agreements are expected to be suspended indefinitely.
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