Peru's Congress has voted to declare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as persona non grata - or unwelcome in the country. The decision comes days after Peru severed diplomatic ties with Mexico, after the Mexican government granted asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister facing charges for a 2022 coup attempt. Betssy Chávez denies allegations that she played a role in ousted Peruvian President Pedro Castillo's plan to dissolve congress. She has taken refuge in the Mexican embassy in Lima.
Mexico argues it has offered Chávez asylum following international law, rejecting Peru's accusation that it was an 'unfriendly act'. The declaration, passed in a 63-33 vote in the Peruvian Congress, marks the latest escalation in worsening ties between the two Latin American nations. During the vote, some Peruvian legislators accused Sheinbaum of having close ties to drug trafficking without providing evidence.
Chávez had been imprisoned in June 2023 for allegedly aiding Castillo's legislative coup, though she was released on bail in September. Prosecutors are pushing for a 25-year sentence for her. The Foreign Minister of Peru, Hugo de Zela, mentioned legal experts are reflecting on the 1954 Caracas Convention used by Mexico to justify asylum. He criticized Mexico for portraying coup attempt authors as victims while Peruvians are striving for democracy. Past tensions include Peru expelling Mexico's ambassador over asylum granted to Castillo's family, and attempts to declare Sheinbaum unwelcome last year for not criticizing Castillo's actions.
Mexico argues it has offered Chávez asylum following international law, rejecting Peru's accusation that it was an 'unfriendly act'. The declaration, passed in a 63-33 vote in the Peruvian Congress, marks the latest escalation in worsening ties between the two Latin American nations. During the vote, some Peruvian legislators accused Sheinbaum of having close ties to drug trafficking without providing evidence.
Chávez had been imprisoned in June 2023 for allegedly aiding Castillo's legislative coup, though she was released on bail in September. Prosecutors are pushing for a 25-year sentence for her. The Foreign Minister of Peru, Hugo de Zela, mentioned legal experts are reflecting on the 1954 Caracas Convention used by Mexico to justify asylum. He criticized Mexico for portraying coup attempt authors as victims while Peruvians are striving for democracy. Past tensions include Peru expelling Mexico's ambassador over asylum granted to Castillo's family, and attempts to declare Sheinbaum unwelcome last year for not criticizing Castillo's actions.
