Peru cuts ties with Mexico over asylum for ex-prime minister

After accusing Peru of denying asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister who is facing a coup alleged attempt in 2022, Peru has cut diplomatic relations with Mexico.

After fleeing to the Mexican Embassy in Peru, former prime minister Betssy Chavez, who served under former president Pedro Castillo, fled on Monday.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugo de Zela stated at a press conference that “today we learned with surprise and deep regret that former president Pedro Castillo’s alleged co-author of the coup attempt is receiving asylum at the Mexican Embassy residence in Peru.”

The Peruvian government has decided to end diplomatic relations with Mexico today, he added, taking into account the numerous instances in which the current and former presidents of that nation have interacted with the country’s internal affairs.

Mexico did not respond right away.

Raul Noblecilla, Chavez’s attorney, informed the local radio station RPP that he had not heard from his client in a while and that she had not inquired whether she had sought asylum.

Following a months-long standoff between the president and the Congress, Chavez was appointed as minister of culture in November 2022.

The following month, Castillo, a former rural schoolteacher and trade unionist, attempted to dissolve the Congress, but was impeached by lawmakers. He was later called Peru’s “first poor president.”

After that, Lima and Mexico’s relations sharply deteriorated.

When he was detained and later charged with rebellion and abuse of authority, Castillo was on his way to the Mexican embassy in Lima to request asylum.

Chavez and he were also charged.

After Mexico granted Castillo’s wife and children asylum, Peru expelled the ambassador in December 2022.

In February 2023, Castillo’s successor, then-President Dina Boluarte, accused then-left-wing leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of meddling in her country’s affairs by expressing support for Castillo. Boluarte also temporarily recalled Peru’s ambassador to Mexico City.

In March of this year, the former president and Chavez were charged.

Chavez was released on bail in September despite Castillo’s pre-acquiescence and his subsequent impeachment.

Chavez was allegedly a part of Castillo’s plan to dissolve Congress, leading to a 25-year term that the prosecution wanted for him to serve.

They want Castillo to serve a 34-year sentence.