Peru’s Congress has declared Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing diplomatic conflict between both countries.
The declaration was passed on Thursday after Mexico granted political asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who is facing criminal charges in Peru.
Peru’s legislative decision effectively deems President Sheinbaum unwelcome within its territory, deepening tensions that have persisted since the removal of former President Pedro Castillo in 2022.
The diplomatic fallout began when Castillo, a leftist former schoolteacher, was ousted by Congress after attempting to dissolve the legislative body—an act widely condemned as an attempted coup.
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Following his removal, Castillo was arrested and charged with rebellion and abuse of authority.
His then–Prime Minister, Betssy Chávez, was charged alongside him but later released on bail.
Chávez recently sought refuge in the Mexican embassy in Lima, claiming political persecution.
Mexico subsequently granted her asylum, citing its “long-standing humanitarian tradition.”
Peruvian interim President José Jerí condemned the asylum decision, describing it as an “unfriendly act” and an “interference in Peru’s internal affairs.”
His government responded by severing diplomatic relations with Mexico and ordering its top diplomat to leave the country.
The Peruvian Congress voted 63 to 33 in favour of the persona non grata motion against Sheinbaum.
Acting Congress President Fernando Rospigliosi accused her of “clearly established interference” in Peru’s domestic politics “not only in words but also through the granting of asylum.”
Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the move, saying it was based on “false assertions.”
It maintained that the asylum granted to Chávez complied fully with the 1954 Caracas Convention on diplomatic asylum, which both countries have ratified.
The Peruvian Foreign Ministry is now reviewing international law to assess Mexico’s request for a safe passage guarantee that would allow Chávez to leave the embassy for Mexico without arrest.
Socialist lawmaker Jaime Quito criticised the decision, arguing that Congress was “once again making an international embarrassment by breaking relations with our sister country Mexico.”
The situation has drawn attention from regional observers who note that relations between Lima and Mexico have steadily deteriorated since Castillo’s removal from power.
While Castillo remains in custody facing a potential 34-year prison sentence, his allies continue to allege political persecution by the Peruvian state.
The current diplomatic impasse represents the lowest point in Peru–Mexico relations in decades, with both nations now navigating the fallout of competing claims of sovereignty and humanitarian responsibility.
