Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Peru Declares Mexican President Persona Non Grata Amid Asylum Dispute
Imagine two countries, Peru and Mexico, are having a big argument.
Peru's government accused a former official, Betssy Chavez, of helping the ex-president try to shut down their Congress a couple of years ago.
Mexico decided to give Betssy Chavez a safe place to stay, called asylum, at their embassy in Peru.
Peru's leaders are very upset by this, saying it's like Mexico is meddling in their country's problems.
Because of this, Peru's Congress voted to say that Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is not welcome in Peru anymore.
Peru also told Mexico's top diplomat to leave their country and broke off formal friendship.
Mexico says they followed the rules for giving asylum and that Peru is wrong.
Even though they are arguing, the two countries still do a lot of business together.
Peru's Congress declared Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata.
This action escalates a diplomatic row following Mexico's decision to grant asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chavez.
Peru severed diplomatic ties with Mexico, calling the asylum grant an 'unfriendly act' and interference in its internal affairs.
Mexico stated it granted asylum in accordance with international law and rejected Peru's accusations.
Peru's foreign minister is reviewing the legal basis for the asylum under the 1954 Caracas Convention, with a decision on Chavez's safe passage expected soon.
- Who
- Peru's Congress, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum, and former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chavez.
- What
- Peru's Congress declared Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata and severed diplomatic ties with Mexico over the latter's decision to grant asylum to Betssy Chavez.
- When
- The declaration occurred on Thursday; diplomatic ties were severed earlier in the week.
- Where
- Lima, Peru (Congress) and Mexico.
- Why
- Peru views Mexico's asylum grant as interference in its internal affairs and an 'unfriendly act,' while Mexico asserts compliance with international law.
Peru
Mexico
Asylum Grant to Betssy Chavez
Peru
Peru's Congress voted to declare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata, viewing Mexico's granting of asylum to former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez as an 'unfriendly act' and interference in Peru's internal affairs. Peru is reviewing the asylum request for safe passage.
Mexico
Mexico stated it rejected Peru's declaration and had offered asylum to Chavez strictly in accordance with international law, asserting it was not an 'unfriendly act' and rejecting claims of political persecution in Peru.
Diplomatic Relations
Peru
Peru severed diplomatic ties with Mexico due to the asylum decision, with lawmakers deeming the Mexican president unwelcome.
Mexico
Mexico rejected the 'persona non grata' declaration and views its asylum offer as legally compliant.
- Peruvian Congress Vote
- Voted to declare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata.
- Reason for Diplomatic Tension
- Mexico granted asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chavez.
- Betssy Chavez's Charges
- Conspiracy for alleged role in Pedro Castillo's 2022 attempt to dissolve Congress.
- Prosecution's Sentence Request for Chavez
- 25 years
- Current Status of Chavez
- Released by a judge to prepare her defense while at liberty; seeking safe passage at Mexican embassy.
- Mexico's Legal Basis for Asylum
- 1954 Caracas Convention.
- Bilateral Trade (2023)
- Over $2.5 billion
