Peru has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Mexico, Peru’s foreign minister announced Monday, after Peru’s former prime minister barricaded himself in the Mexican embassy in the country to seek asylum.
Foreign Minister Hugo de Zella told reporters that Peruvian officials learned earlier in the day that former Prime Minister Betsy Chavez, who served under President Pedro Castillo, had fled to the embassy. The Mexican Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“In response to this unfriendly act, and taking into account the repeated occasions in which the current and former presidents of this country have interfered in Peru’s internal affairs, the Peruvian government decided today to sever diplomatic relations with Mexico,” de Zella said.
Chavez was facing criminal charges for her alleged role in Castillo’s attempt to dissolve Congress in late 2022.
Castillo was overthrown and remains under arrest. Chavez had been imprisoned since June 2023, but a judge released him in September while her trial was ongoing.
Her lawyer, Raul Noblesilla, told local radio station RPP that he had not heard from his client for several days and was not aware of whether she had requested asylum or not.
Chavez’s driver previously testified that she asked him to take her to the Mexican Embassy as Castillo’s
An attempt to dismantle Congress was underway before she returned to her office.
Chavez denied that she tried to reach the embassy at that time, and also denied knowledge of Castillo’s plan to dissolve the legislature. The prosecution requested a 25-year prison sentence.
(Marks for translation) Peruvian diplomat cut off Mexico
