Peru's Congress has voted to declare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum 'persona non grata,' signifying she is unwelcome in the country. This declaration, passed by a 63-33 margin, marks a further development in the diplomatic relationship between Peru and Mexico.
During the congressional session, Peruvian legislators also made allegations connecting the Mexican leader to drug trafficking, without presenting substantiating evidence.
Asylum and Legal Proceedings
The declaration comes amidst ongoing tensions, particularly concerning Mexico's offer of asylum to Betssy Chávez, a former Peruvian Prime Minister. Chávez is currently facing charges related to her alleged role in former President Pedro Castillo's plan to dissolve Peru's legislative body in 2022. She has sought refuge in the Mexican embassy in Lima and denies the accusations. Chávez was imprisoned in June 2023, released on bail in September, and is the subject of a prosecutor's request for a 25-year sentence.
Mexico asserts its asylum offer is consistent with international law, specifically referencing the 1954 Caracas Convention on diplomatic asylum. Peru, however, has characterized Mexico's actions as an 'unfriendly act' and has accused it of interfering in its internal affairs. Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela indicated that legal experts are reviewing the legal basis of Mexico's asylum justification. Previously, de Zela stated that Mexico had attempted to portray individuals involved in the coup attempt as victims, further suggesting that Mexico held a unique position regarding its acknowledgment of Peru's democratic governance.
Previous Diplomatic Incidents
Recent diplomatic incidents include Peru severing diplomatic ties with Mexico earlier in the week, following Mexico's decision to grant asylum to another former Peruvian prime minister who is facing charges for a 2022 coup attempt. In 2022, Lima expelled Mexico's ambassador after Mexico granted asylum to former President Castillo's wife and children following his arrest. Last September, the Foreign Relations Committee of Peru's Congress had proposed declaring Sheinbaum persona non grata due to her perceived lack of condemnation for Castillo's attempted coup and her advocacy for his release.