Lima cuts off diplomatic ties with Mexico over ex-PM's asylum

[ad_1] Peru has introduced it's breaking off diplomatic relations with Mexico after its authorities granted asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister dealing with prices for a 2022 coup try.

Peruvian Overseas Minister Hugo de Zela expressed his "shock and deep remorse" after studying Betssy Chávez was being given refuge on the Mexican embassy in Peru.

"Given this unfriendly act... the Peruvian authorities has determined to sever diplomatic relations with Mexico right now," Zela stated.

In response, Mexico's international affairs ministry "rejected Peru's unilateral choice as extreme and disproportionate".

Chávez had been imprisoned in June 2023 over her alleged position in ousted Peruvian president Pedro Castillos's plan to dissolve congress. She was launched by a choose on bail in September and had denied the costs towards her.

Peru additionally accused Mexico of "repeated situations through which the present and former presidents of that nation have interfered in Peru's inside affairs".

"The reality is, they've tried to painting the authors of the coup try as victims, when in actuality, Peruvians reside and wish to proceed dwelling in democracy, as recognised by all international locations on the earth, with the only and lonely exception of Mexico," Zela added.

Prosecutors are in search of a 25-year sentence for Chávez's alleged position in Castillo's plan to dissolve congress.

Castillo was arrested in December 2022 on prices of riot, after he tried to dissolve congress and set up an emergency authorities.

Hours after the try, Castillo was impeached. He has been in preventative custody ever since.

Prosecutors are in search of a 34-year jail time period for Castillo, who beforehand stated he by no means took up arms towards the state as a result of the navy refused his orders.

Peru's choice to sever diplomatic ties with Mexico provides to ongoing tensions between the 2 governments since Castillo's ousting.

In 2022, Lima expelled Mexico's ambassador following its choice to grant asylum to Castillo's spouse and kids following his arrest.

A yr later, Peru additionally recalled its ambassador to Mexico after then-president Andrés Manuel López Obrador expressed his assist for Castillo, saying he had been "illegally ousted".

A former main faculty trainer, farmer and union activist, Castillo was dubbed Peru's "first poor president".

With no earlier political expertise, he took workplace as a authorities outsider, vowing to remodel Peru's deteriorating economic system and assist the poor.

However Castillo's presidency got here to an notorious finish after his try to seize energy was declared unconstitutional, with authorities officers and the nation's armed forces refusing to assist him.

Casillo's successor, former president Dina Boluarte, was faraway from workplace final month by an awesome majority in Peru's congress, after mass protests towards political scandals and hovering crime.