Peru expels Mexican Ambassador over former president asylum row

By James Blears – Mexico City

The Mexican Government has spoken up for deposed Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, who was impeached, arrested and has since been held in custody.

It says that Castillo, who attempted to dissolve Congress, was democratically elected.

The Mexican Government has announced that it is granting asylum to his family, and this appears to have been the final diplomatic straw for authorities in Lima.

They have given Mexican Ambassador Pablo Monroy 72 hours to get out of the country, saying he must leave due to repeated statements from the highest levels of Mexico’s government, which they insist constitute meddling in the sovereign affairs of Peru.

Peru’s government insists that Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s comments are considered as direct interference.

Asylum for Castillo’s family

Authorities are permitting Castillo’s wife, Lilia Paredes, and their two children to leave Peru for Mexico.

However, they have accused her of corruption and reserve the right to seek her extradition at a future date.

Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard has instructed Ambassador Monroy to leave Lima and return home to Mexico City, for his own safety, saying that Mexico firmly believes in dialogue and maintaining open channels of communication.

He points out that the Mexican Embassy in Peru will continue working normally to serve the interests of Mexicans there.