Peru breaks diplomatic ties with Mexico over asylum claim of former MP

Peru’s government has announced that the country is severing diplomatic relations with Mexico over the asylum claim of former Peruvian prime minister Betssy Chavez, who is under investigation for rebellion.Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela told reporters on Monday that Mexico’s decision to grant Chavez asylum at its embassy in Peru’s capital, Lima, constituted an “unfriendly act” that adds to the existing tensions between the two countries.

The office of Peru President Jose Jerí in a statement then accused Mexico’s government of “repeated” interference with the internal affairs of the South American country.

Authorities have accused Chavez 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.

The Peruvian Attorney General’s Office has accused Chavez of being an accomplice in the crime of rebellion against the powers of the state. It is seeking a sentence of up to 25 years in prison for Chavez, who served as Castillo’s prime minister.

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

Castillo’s wife and children are currently in Mexico, where authorities have expressed sympathy for the former Peruvian president, who came to power on a leftist platform and was ousted by Parliament after announcing its dissolution in December 2022.

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