Diplomatic relations between Mexico and Peru have deteriorated even further after the Peruvian government announced it would sever ties with Mexico. The move came after Mexico began the process of granting asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who is under investigation for rebellion.
The announcement was made when Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela said Mexico had committed what he called an "unfriendly act" by opening an asylum process for Chávez, who served under former President Pedro Castillo.
According to The Associated Press, Peruvian prosecutors accuse Chávez of participating in Castillo's failed 2022 attempt to dissolve Congress and declare a state of emergency as lawmakers prepared to vote on his impeachment.
That effort collapsed after the military refused to back Castillo. He was quickly ousted by Congress and later arrested on charges of attempting to stage a coup.
The Peruvian Attorney General's Office has accused Chávez of being an accomplice in the crime of rebellion against the powers of the state and is seeking a sentence of up to 25 years in prison for Chávez.
This is not the first time the Mexican government has offered asylum to Peruvian citizens despite repeated calls from Lima to respect its sovereignty. As The Associated Press reported, Castillo's wife and children currently live in Mexico, where authorities have publicly expressed support for the former president.
In October, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reaffirmed her support for Castillo, saying he was the victim of a "coup" and urging authorities to release him so he can receive a fair trial
Following Peru's announcement to cut diplomatic ties, Sheinbaum called the decision "out of proportion" and emphasized that the rupture applies only to diplomatic relations, not to consular or commercial ones.
"We broke commercial relations with Ecuador because its government invaded our embassy, and former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador made that decision. In the case of Peru, what was done then, and what we continue to defend, is that Pedro Castillo's arrest was completely unfair," Sheinbaum said during a Nov. 4 press conference.
Since taking office, Sheinbaum has repeatedly expressed support for Castillo, drawing backlash in Peru.
In September, Peru's Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee declared Sheinbaum persona non grata in response to her continued backing of Castillo, calling her position "an unacceptable interference in Peru's internal affairs" and "an insult to the country's democratic system."
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