Peru denies ex-PM seeking asylum safe passage to Mexico
LIMA, PERU - NOVEMBER 04: Peruvian Work and Employment Promotion Minister Betssy Chavez waves during her arrival to the Congress for the investiture parliamentary session (known as "Cuestion de Confianza") where Chief of Cabinet seeks support of lawmakers on November 4, 2021 in Lima, Peru. Session originally started on October 25 and was suspended due to the dead of a congressman. (Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)
Peru’s government on Friday said it will not grant safe passage to former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez, who was granted asylum by Mexico, effectively blocking her departure from the country.
Chavez faces conspiracy charges linked to former President Pedro Castillo’s 2022 attempt to dissolve Congress, with prosecutors seeking a 25-year prison sentence. Chavez denies the allegations.
President José Jerí confirmed the decision, saying Chavez “cannot travel to Mexico.” The announcement underscores Peru’s deepening diplomatic rift with Mexico, which has granted Chavez asylum, citing the 1954 Caracas Convention.
In a statement on Friday, Peru’s foreign ministry criticized Mexico’s decision, arguing that the right to asylum has been “distorted” by applying it to individuals prosecuted for common crimes rather than those facing political persecution.
The foreign ministry said it would push at the Organization of American States for a change to the treaty to prevent this from happening in the future.
In unrelated diplomatic news, Cuba’s ambassador to Peru, Carlos Zamora, concluded his functions and departed the country, the foreign ministry said in the same statement on Friday. The Peruvian Foreign Ministry did not provide further details on his departure or a potential replacement.
