Nicaragua announced on Friday it is breaking off diplomatic relations with Israel, accusing the Israeli government of being “fascist” and “genocidal.” The Central American nation cited ongoing Israeli attacks on Palestinian territories as the primary reason for this decision.
The move follows a resolution passed earlier in the day by Nicaragua’s congress, which requested action to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the Gaza war. Nicaragua’s government statement expressed concern that the conflict “now also extends against Lebanon and gravely threatens Syria, Yemen and Iran.”
This diplomatic rupture marks a significant shift in Nicaragua’s foreign policy and aligns with the country’s leftist government’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The decision reflects growing international criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the wider region.
Nicaragua’s characterization of the Israeli government as “fascist” and “genocidal” represents some of the strongest language used by a nation in condemning Israel’s recent actions. This move may influence other nations, particularly in Latin America, in their diplomatic stance towards Israel.
The severance of ties comes at a time of heightened global tension surrounding the ongoing conflict in Gaza and its potential to escalate into a wider regional confrontation. Nicaragua’s decision underscores the increasing polarization in international relations regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how this diplomatic break will affect regional politics and whether other nations will follow Nicaragua’s lead in reassessing their relations with Israel.