Peru declares Mexican ambassador persona non grata for interfering in its internal affairs

This Tuesday, Dec. 20, the Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ana Cecilia Gervasi, informed that the Peruvian Government granted safe conduct to Lilia Paredes -wife of the imprisoned coup leader Pedro Castillo- and two of her minor children, who received asylum from Mexico.

In addition, he announced that the Mexican ambassador to Peru, Pablo Monroy, was declared persona non grata and given 72 hours to leave the country.

“The Government of Peru has declared persona non grata the Mexican ambassador to Peru, Mr. Pablo Monroy Conesa, due to the repeated expressions of the highest authorities of that country regarding the political situation in Peru,” said Gervasi.

Gervasi indicated that the expressions of the Mexican Government constitute an interference in the country’s internal affairs and, therefore, are in violation of the principle of non-intervention.

The Peruvian Foreign Minister also stated that the Mexican Government had been informed of the safe conduct of Lilia Paredes and her children, stressing that there was no political persecution against her.

“This Ministry has informed the Mexican government of Foreign Affairs that Lilia Paredes is included in a preparatory investigation as co-perpetrator of the crime of criminal organization.”

“The government emphatically reiterates that there is no political persecution and that the rule of law, the separation of powers, and respect for the guarantees of the administration of justice, including due process,” the official added.

Gervasi specified that the Peruvian State might request extradition against Lilia Paredes in case the authorities so decide due to the ongoing investigations.

“The granting of the safe conduct is subject to the right of the Peruvian State to request the eventual extradition of Mrs. Paredes Navarro following the Extradition Treaty between the Republic of Peru and the United Mexican States of 2021, in case the judicial authorities so require,” he said.

PERU CALLS ITS AMBASSADORS

Peru called its ambassadors to Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, and Mexico for consultations in rejection of the declaration of the leftist governments that called for the reinstatement of Pedro Castillo, dismissed after his failed coup d’état.

“With the President of the Republic, we have ordered the recall in consultation to Lima of our Ambassadors in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, and Mexico, in reaction to the interference in Peru’s internal affairs,” announced Foreign Minister Ana Cecilia Gervasi in an official ceremony.

The four countries governed by governments aligned to the Sao Paulo Forum and the Puebla Group expressed their support to Castillo. They asked to respect the people’s will in a joint communiqué.

“We exhort those who integrate the institutions to abstain from reversing the popular will expressed with the free suffrage,” reads the communiqué.

The Mexican President, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, affirmed in a press conference that Pedro Castillo and his family (Lilia Paredes and children) have “open doors” in his country.