Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela announces the suspension of diplomatic ties with Mexico after the asylum of former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez. Image credit: Sada Elbalad English
(The Post News) – Peru officially broke off diplomatic relations with Mexico on Monday after Mexico granted asylum to former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who faces charges of rebellion and conspiracy for her alleged role in the failed 2022 coup attempt by ex-president Pedro Castillo.
Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela made the announcement in a news conference in Lima, terming the Mexican move an “unfriendly act” that ran counter to international diplomatic norms.
“We learned with surprise and deep regret that former prime minister Betssy Chávez, accused of taking part in Pedro Castillo’s coup attempt, has been granted asylum at the Mexican embassy in Lima,” de Zela said. “Given this unfriendly act, the Peruvian government has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Mexico effective immediately.”
The foreign minister’s statement was supported by the office of President José Jerí, who accused the government of Mexico of “repeated interference in Peru’s internal affairs” and of attempting to “portray coup plotters as victims.”
Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry rejected the move by Peru as “excessive and disproportionate” and reaffirmed Mexico’s long-standing commitment to the protection of political refugees.
Who Is Betssy Chávez?
She served as Peru’s prime minister during the last months of Pedro Castillo’s turbulent presidency. The Peruvian Attorney General’s Office has accused her of being an accomplice in rebellion by helping Castillo plan his attempt to dissolve Congress in December 2022. The prosecutors are seeking a 25-year prison sentence.
Chávez was arrested in June 2023 but later released on bail while awaiting trial. She maintains she had no knowledge of Castillo’s plan and denies involvement in any plot to overthrow Congress. Her attorney, Raúl Noblecilla, told local media he lost contact with Chávez several days ago and could not confirm when she entered the Mexican embassy.
In December 2022, President Pedro Castillo shocked Peruvians when he declared a state of emergency and announced the dissolution of Congress, in a clear attempt to prevent lawmakers from voting on his impeachment. The military would not support him, Congress promptly impeached him, and the police arrested him hours later.
The ill-fated coup attempt by Castillo brought his presidency to an end after 17 months in power. A former schoolteacher and union activist, Castillo campaigned on a left-wing outsider ticket promising to reduce inequality, but his presidency was marred by corruption scandals, political infighting, and repeated clashes with Congress.
Peruvian prosecutors have requested a 34-year prison sentence against Castillo on charges of rebellion and conspiracy. Castillo claims he never took up arms and said he was illegally ousted.
Mexico’s involvement in the crisis in Peru began soon after Castillo’s arrest. The Mexican government granted asylum to Castillo’s wife and children in late 2022, prompting Lima to expel Mexico’s ambassador.
In early 2023, Peru recalled its ambassador from Mexico after then-president Andrés Manuel López Obrador publicly expressed support for Castillo, calling his removal a “coup by the elite.”
The latest asylum case of Betssy Chávez is the third major diplomatic confrontation between Lima and Mexico in less than three years.
Political Upheaval and a Fragile Government
Political instability in Peru worsened last month after Congress voted out President Dina Boluarte amid corruption scandals and violent protests against her government. The head of Congress, José Jerí, was sworn in as interim president, promising to restore stability and respect democratic order.
The government of Jerí sees the decision of Mexico to shelter Chávez as a direct challenge to the sovereignty of Peru. “Peruvians live and want to continue living in democracy,” Foreign Minister de Zela said. “All countries in the world recognize this, with the sole exception of Mexico.”
As of Monday night, Chávez remains inside the Mexican embassy in Lima, in protection from arrest while her asylum claim is processed. Her fate, as well as the future of Peru-Mexico relations, now hangs in diplomatic limbo.
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