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Peru declares Mexican president persona non grata amid asylum dispute
Peru's Congress voted late Thursday to declare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata, escalating tensions after Mexico granted asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister accused of involvement in a 2022 coup attempt.
The 63-33 decision follows Peru's severing of diplomatic ties with Mexico earlier this week, after the Mexican government offered asylum to Betssy Chávez, who faces charges tied to ex-President Pedro Castillo's failed bid to dissolve Congress. Chávez, released on bail in September 2023 after a year in detention, has denied all allegations and remains sheltered in Mexico's Lima embassy.
Accusations and legal standoff
Peruvian lawmakers also accused Sheinbaum of alleged ties to drug trafficking-without presenting evidence-during Thursday's debate. Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela told Reuters that legal teams are reviewing the 1954 Caracas Convention, which Mexico cited to justify its asylum offer.
De Zela earlier criticized Mexico for "portraying coup plotters as victims," adding, "Peruvians demand democracy, recognized globally-except by Mexico." Prosecutors are pursuing a 25-year sentence for Chávez, who was imprisoned in June 2023 over her alleged role in Castillo's attempt to shutter Congress.
History of strained relations
Peru's move deepens a rift that began in 2022, when Lima expelled Mexico's ambassador after the country granted asylum to Castillo's wife and children following his arrest. Last September, Peru's Foreign Relations Committee first proposed declaring Sheinbaum unwelcome, citing her refusal to condemn Castillo's coup attempt and calls for his release.
Mexico has defended its actions under international law, dismissing Peru's claims of "unfriendly acts" and rejecting accusations of interference in its internal affairs.
Next steps
The persona non grata declaration, while symbolic, signals a further deterioration in bilateral relations. Legal reviews of the Caracas Convention and Chávez's asylum status are expected to continue.
