Mexico is defending its asylum tradition following the rupture of relations declared by Peru. The bilateral tension between Mexico and Peru, which began in 2021 after the ousting of President Castillo, escalated in early November when Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela announced the breaking of diplomatic relations with the government led by Claudia Sheinbaum. The latest event that exacerbated differences and led to the rupture of relations is the asylum Mexico granted at its embassy in Lima to Betsy Chávez, a former close aide to the ex-president and then Prime Minister. Chávez is accused of participating in a plot to carry out a alleged self-coup. In response, Peruvian Justice Minister José Jerí suggested the possibility of entering the Mexican embassy to arrest Chávez, warning, "If we have to enter the Mexican embassy, we will." He later backtracked on these statements. The Mexican government, in turn, stated that violating the principle of diplomatic asylum would be a "very grave" incident. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum insists that dialogue is the best path and that Mexico will fulfill its international commitments. Experts note that the political tension primarily harms Peru, where Mexico has significant investments, and that the situation is exacerbated by ideological polarization on the continent.
