Peruvian Congress votes to declare Mexico’s president persona non grata after asylum offer
LIMA, Peru (AP) — Announced Thursday at the Peruvian Congress Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Peruvian authorities became persona non grata after Mexico decided to grant asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chavez, in what Peruvian officials called sustained interference in the South American country’s internal affairs.
The legislative resolution was passed with 63 votes in favor, 34 against and two invalid votes, following debate in which right-wing congressmen argued that Sheinbaum had maintained a hostile attitude towards Peru since taking office in 2024. Peruvian President Pedro Castillo.
Castillo, who ordered the dissolution of Parliament in December 2022, was dismissed and remains in detention due to allegations of rebellion and conspiracy.
Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement later Thursday that the congressional action was based on “false allegations.”
“Mexico has not intervened in Peru’s internal affairs in any way,” the ministry said in a statement.
On Monday, Peru’s interim President José Jerí Cut off diplomatic relations with Mexico On Sheinbaum’s decision to grant asylum to Chavez, who is being sued An attempt was made to dissolve Congress in 2022 Under Castillo’s leadership. Peru’s Attorney General’s Office is seeking a prison sentence of up to 25 years for Chavez, who served as Castillo’s prime minister.
Peru has not yet secured safe passage for Chavez to allow him to leave the country, and Mexico is analyzing the legal response during his stay at his diplomatic residence.
After the debate, Congress President Fernando Rospigliosi said, “We support the government that has cut relations with Mexico.”
Rospigliosi said Parliament would discuss preventing Chavez from holding any public office.
The Mexican government stated that it regretted Peru’s decision to sever diplomatic relations and stated that Mexico granted asylum to the former Peruvian prime minister in accordance with international law.
“Mexico rejects Peru’s unilateral decision as excessive and disproportionate, in response to a legitimate action by Peru that complies with international law and does not amount to interference in Peru’s internal affairs in any way,” Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Monday. he said.
The Mexican government ignored the constitutional process, according to the bill approved Thursday. Castillo’s dismissal His replacement by Dina Boluarte and Sheinbaum’s statements constitute an unacceptable interference in Peru’s internal affairs.
Boluarte was dismissed by the Peruvian Congress in October due to increasing crimes in the country.
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