Peru’s Congress on Thursday declared Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata after Mexico decided to grant asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, in what Peruvian officials called repeated interference in the South American country’s internal affairs.
The legislative decision was adopted with 63 votes in favor, 34 against and two absentee votes, after a debate in which right-wing congressmen argued that Sheinbaum has maintained a hostile position towards Peru since she took office in 2024 by backing former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo.
Castillo, who ordered the dissolution of Parliament in December 2022, was removed from office and remains in detention on charges of alleged rebellion and conspiracy.
On Monday, Peru’s interim President José Jerí severed diplomatic relations with Mexico over Sheinbaum’s decision to grant asylum to Chávez, who is being prosecuted for the attempted dissolution of Congress in 2022 led by Castillo. The Peruvian Attorney General’s Office is seeking a sentence of up to 25 years in prison for Chávez, who served as Castillo’s prime minister.
Peru has not yet granted the safe passage that would allow Chávez to leave the country and is analyzing a legal response while she remains in the Mexican diplomatic residence.
The Mexican government has said it regretted Peru’s decision to break off diplomatic relations, noting Mexico granted asylum to the former Peruvian prime minister in compliance with international law.
Posted by John3262005