Peru recalls ambassador to Mexico over diplomatic row
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Peruvian President Dina Boluarte (left) criticised Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s “unacceptable” interference in Lima’s affairs.
PHOTOS: EPA-EFE, REUTERS
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LIMA - Peruvian President Dina Boluarte has announced the recall of her country’s ambassador to Mexico, citing its continued support for deposed president Pedro Castillo.
“I have ordered the definitive recall of our ambassador to Mexico,” Ms Boluarte said in a televised address on last Friday, citing Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s “unacceptable” interference in Lima’s affairs.
The embassy will now be led by a charge d’affaires, she added.
Mr Castillo, Peru’s leftist former president, was impeached and arrested for attempting to dissolve Parliament and rule by decree in December and Ms Boluarte has since seen weeks of anti-government protests across the Andean nation
Mr Castillo’s ouster was criticised by leftist Latin American allies, including Mexico, which has sparked a diplomatic row.
The Mexican Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that it regrets Peru’s decision but that it will maintain its own diplomatic representation in Peru at the existing level to promote ties between the two and support Mexicans in Peru.
The ministry added that it intends to “keep diplomatic communication channels open for the benefit of both societies”.
The decision to withdraw Ambassador Manuel Talavera Espinar came as Mr Lopez Obrador again insisted that “Mexico will continue to support (Mr Castillo), who was unjustly and illegally removed from office”.
Ms Boluarte, in her televised remarks, said: “I strongly reject the remarks made today by the president of Mexico on Peru’s internal affairs and his repeated unacceptable questioning of the constitutional and democratic origins of my government.”
Former president Pedro Castillo was impeached and arrested, for attempting to dissolve parliament and rule by decree.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Mr Lopez Obrador has been one of Mr Castillo’s most fervent foreign supporters, along with fellow leftist leaders of Bolivia, Argentina and Colombia.
Peru had already expelled the Mexican ambassador at the end of December, after Mexico granted political asylum to Mr Castillo’s wife and two sons.
A man looks at pictures of civilians who died during nationwide protests against President Dina Boluarte, in Cusco, Peru, on Feb 9, 2023.
PHOTO: AFP
At least 48 people have died in clashes between security forces and protesters since unrest broke out on Dec 7, following his impeachment and arrest.
The demonstrations are driven by poor southern, indigenous Peruvians who perceive Mr Castillo – who is also from humble origins and has indigenous roots – as an ally in their fight against poverty, racism and inequality. AFP
