Peru Declares Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Persona Non Grata

Lima – Peru’s Congress has formally declared Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as persona non grata, marking a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between the two Latin American nations. The decision follows Mexico’s granting of asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who faces charges related to a 2022 coup attempt.

The resolution passed in Congress with a 63-33 vote, signaling Peru’s strong disapproval of Mexico’s actions. Chávez, who has denied involvement in ousted President Pedro Castillo’s plan to dissolve Congress, is currently taking refuge in the Mexican embassy in Lima. Prosecutors are seeking a 25-year sentence for Chávez, who was imprisoned in June 2023 and later released on bail in September.

Peruvian legislators further accused President Sheinbaum of maintaining close ties to drug trafficking, although no evidence was provided to support the claims. The move comes just days after Peru severed diplomatic ties with Mexico, adding to an already strained relationship between the two countries.

Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela stated that legal experts are reviewing the 1954 Caracas Convention on diplomatic asylum, which Mexico cited to justify granting asylum to Chávez. De Zela criticized Mexico, saying the country had attempted to "portray the authors of the coup attempt as victims" and alleged repeated interference by current and former Mexican presidents in Peru’s internal affairs.

Mexico maintains that the asylum offered to Chávez aligns with international law and has rejected Peru’s accusations of unfriendly acts. The diplomatic dispute traces back to 2022, when Lima expelled Mexico’s ambassador after Mexico granted asylum to Castillo’s wife and children following his arrest.

The declaration of Sheinbaum as persona non grata underscores growing tensions in Latin American diplomacy, highlighting the complex interplay between domestic political crises and international relations. Analysts suggest that the move may have broader implications for regional cooperation and bilateral agreements between Mexico and Peru.

As the situation unfolds, both nations face a challenging path toward restoring diplomatic dialogue while navigating domestic political pressures and international scrutiny.