Peru cuts diplomatic relations with Mexico over asylum claim of former prime minister

Peru’s government on Monday announced the country was severing diplomatic relations with Mexico over the asylum claim of former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who is under investigation for rebellion.

According to Hugo de Zela, Peru's foreign minister, Mexico's decision to provide Chávez asylum at its embassy in the capital, Lima, was an "unfriendly act" that exacerbated already-existing tensions between the two nations.

“Today we learned with surprise and deep regret that former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, the alleged co-author of the coup d’état attempted by former President Pedro Castillo, is being granted asylum at the residence of the Mexican Embassy in Peru,” de Zela told reporters.

The announcement came just hours after former President Pedro Castillo's deputy, former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez, fled to the Mexican Embassy in Peru.

In an earlier statement, the foreign ministry said since the events of December 2022, “the Mexican government has been interfering in an inadmissible and systematic manner in Peru’s internal affairs.”

Mexico's "unacceptable position" remained unchanged, despite the Peruvian government's repeated calls for respect for its sovereignty, the foreign ministry stated.

In a subsequent statement, the office of President José Jerí of Peru claimed that Mexico's government had "repeatedly" meddled in the South American nation's domestic affairs.

The diplomatic crisis comes as authorities accuse Chávez of participating in the 2022 failed effort by then-President Pedro Castillo to declare a state of emergency and dissolve Peru’s Parliament as legislators prepared an impeachment vote against him.

Castillo failed to get the military’s support for his move, was swiftly deposed by Congress and then arrested after prosecutors accused him of trying to promote a coup.

According to the Peruvian Attorney General's Office, Chávez is a co-conspirator in the crime of rebellion against the state. Lima is thus seeking to sentence Chávez, who was Castillo's prime minister, to up to 25 years in prison.

Mexico’s government did not immediately comment on Peru’s decision.

In October, left-leaning Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reaffirmed her support for Castillo, who remains in custody, and insisted he was the victim of a “coup.” She called for his release from jail and that he “receive a fair trial.”

Castillo's spouse and kids are currently in Mexico, where officials have shown sympathy for the former left-leaning Peruvian leader who was overthrown by Parliament when it declared its dissolution in December 2022.