Nicaragua severs diplomatic ties with Italy over 1978 murder case

Nicaragua has severed diplomatic relations with Italy following a dispute over the extradition of a convicted murderer linked to the 1978 assassination of former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro. The Nicaraguan government granted asylum to the individual, who was convicted in Italy for involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Moro by the Red Brigades. Italy had requested extradition, but Nicaragua refused, leading to a diplomatic rift. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani defended Italy's position, stating that the extradition request was based on legal and judicial grounds. The severance of ties marks a significant deterioration in bilateral relations between the two countries, rooted in a decades-old political crime.