Peru Declares Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum ‘Persona Non Grata’ Amidst Diplomatic Crisis
LIMA, Peru - Peru’s Congress voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to declare Mexican President claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata, escalating a deepening diplomatic rift between the two nations. The 63-33 vote follows Peru’s recent severing of diplomatic ties with Mexico after the Mexican government granted asylum to former Peruvian Prime minister Betssy Chávez.
Chávez is facing charges related to the 2022 attempt to dissolve Peru’s Congress, allegedly orchestrated by than-President pedro Castillo. She denies involvement and has sought refuge in the Mexican embassy in Lima. Mexico maintains its offer of asylum to Chávez is in accordance with international law and rejects Peru’s characterization of the move as “unfriendly.”
Peruvian legislators leveled accusations against Sheinbaum during the vote, alleging close ties to drug trafficking, though no evidence was presented to support these claims. Chávez was initially imprisoned in June 2023 and released on bail in September, facing a potential 25-year sentence if convicted.
The dispute centers on the interpretation of the 1954 caracas Convention on diplomatic asylum, which Mexico cited as justification for offering Chávez protection. Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela stated that legal experts are currently reviewing the convention. He also accused Mexico of attempting to “portray the authors of the coup attempt as victims.”
Peru has further accused Mexico of ”repeated instances in which the current and former presidents of that country have interfered in Peru’s internal affairs.” This tension dates back to 2022, when Lima expelled Mexico’s ambassador after asylum was granted to Castillo’s wife and children following his arrest. In September, Peru’s Foreign Relations Committee had already proposed declaring Sheinbaum persona non grata for her perceived lack of condemnation of Castillo’s actions and advocacy for his release.
