Peru's Congress voted 63–34 to declare Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata, a largely symbolic measure taken after Mexico granted asylum to former Peruvian prime minister Betssy Chavez. Peru has also severed diplomatic ties, calling Mexico's asylum decision an interference in its internal affairs; Mexico says it acted under international law. Chavez remains inside the Mexican embassy in Lima with no safe passage granted and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
Peru Declares Mexico’s President 'Persona Non Grata' as Diplomatic Rift Deepens
Peru's Congress voted 63–34 to declare Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata, a largely symbolic measure taken after Mexico granted asylum to former Peruvian prime minister Betssy Chavez. Peru has also severed diplomatic ties, calling Mexico's asylum decision an interference in its internal affairs; Mexico says it acted under international law. Chavez remains inside the Mexican embassy in Lima with no safe passage granted and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
11:24, 07.11.2025Politics
Peru declares Mexico's president persona non grata amid row over asylum
Peru's Congress has voted to declare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum a persona non grata, barring her from entering the country in a symbolic move that has escalated a diplomatic dispute between the two capitals.
On Thursday lawmakers approved the non-binding resolution by 63 votes to 34 after Mexico granted political asylum to former Peruvian prime minister Betssy Chavez, who sought refuge in Mexico's embassy in Lima. Peru had already announced the severing of diplomatic relations with Mexico earlier in the dispute.
The term "persona non grata" is usually applied to foreign diplomats and in practice requires the host nation to expel the person; when used by a legislature it is largely symbolic but intended as a political rebuke to the Mexican government.
Congressional reaction and accusations
Fernando Rospigliosi, president of Peru’s Congress, said the vote was meant to show support for the Peruvian executive's decision to break ties with Mexico, according to El País. During debate, MP Ernesto Bustamante — a member of the Congressional Foreign Relations Committee — accused President Sheinbaum of links to drug traffickers, an allegation Mexico strongly rejects.
“We cannot allow someone like that, who is in cahoots with drug traffickers and who distracts her people from the real problems they should be addressing, to get involved in Peruvian affairs,” said Bustamante, as reported by El País.
Asylum, safe passage and legal context
Betssy Chavez, who is on trial over alleged involvement in a 2022 attempt by then-president Pedro Castillo to dissolve Congress, fled to the Mexican embassy in Lima earlier this week and was granted asylum by Mexican authorities. Peru's foreign minister, Hugo de Zela, called Mexico's decision an "unfriendly act" and said it amounted to interference in Peru’s domestic affairs. Mexico's foreign ministry has insisted it acted within international law and that the asylum does not constitute intervention.
Peruvian authorities have not issued safe passage for Chavez to leave the embassy and travel to Mexico, leaving her stay at the embassy unresolved. Chavez, a former culture minister who briefly served as prime minister from late November to December 2022, faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. She denies involvement in the alleged plot and was detained from June 2023 until September 2023, after which she was released on bail while her trial continues.
What this means
While the congressional vote is primarily symbolic, it highlights the severity of the diplomatic rupture between Peru and Mexico. The incident has drawn regional attention and could complicate bilateral relations and consular arrangements if both sides maintain their current positions.