Peru cuts diplomatic ties with Mexico over asylum for ex–prime minister Betssy Chavez

Peru has broken off diplomatic relations with Mexico after accusing it of granting asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chavez, who is on trial for her alleged role in an attempted coup in 2022.

Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela announced the move on Monday, hours after Chavez reportedly fled to the Mexican Embassy in Lima.

“Today we learned with surprise and deep regret that Betssy Chavez, the alleged co-author of the coup attempt by former President Pedro Castillo, is being granted asylum at the Mexican Embassy residence in Peru,” de Zela said at a news conference.

“Given this unfriendly act, and considering the repeated instances in which the current and former presidents of that country have interfered in Peru’s internal affairs, the Peruvian government has decided to sever diplomatic relations with Mexico today,” he added.

Mexico has not yet commented on the decision.

Chavez’s lawyer, Raul Noblecilla, told local radio station RPP that he had not spoken with his client in several days and was unaware of her whereabouts or whether she had officially requested asylum.

Chavez, who briefly served as prime minister in late 2022, was one of several allies charged alongside former President Pedro Castillo after his failed attempt to dissolve Congress sparked his impeachment and arrest. Castillo, a former teacher and trade unionist hailed as Peru’s “first poor president,” has been in preventive detention since December 2022 on charges of rebellion and abuse of authority.

Relations between Lima and Mexico have been fraught since then. Mexico granted asylum to Castillo’s wife and children shortly after his arrest, prompting Peru to expel the Mexican ambassador. Then-President Dina Boluarte later recalled Peru’s envoy from Mexico City, accusing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of meddling in Peruvian affairs after he voiced support for Castillo.

Both Castillo and Chavez deny the charges against them. Prosecutors are seeking a 34-year prison sentence for Castillo and 25 years for Chavez.