Peru’s government announced on Monday that it has severed diplomatic relations with Mexico after the Mexican government granted asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister accused of involvement in the alleged 2022 coup attempt led by former President Pedro Castillo.In a statement, Peru’s Foreign Ministry condemned Mexico’s decision, calling it an “unacceptable interference” in the country’s internal affairs and a violation of international principles of non-intervention.
The ministry said Peru “will not maintain diplomatic ties with any government that protects individuals facing justice for attacks against our democratic order.”The former prime minister, who served under Castillo, is reportedly under investigation for her role in the events that led to the attempted dissolution of Congress and the ensuing political crisis in December 2022. Castillo was arrested shortly after the failed power grab, which sparked nationwide protests and deepened Peru’s political turmoil.
Mexico, which has been openly critical of Castillo’s ouster, defended its decision to grant asylum, citing humanitarian grounds and the individual’s right to protection from political persecution.This latest diplomatic rupture marks a further deterioration in relations between the two Latin American nations, which have clashed repeatedly since Castillo’s removal from office.