Peru Continues Diplomatic Rift With Mexico, Recalls Diplomats Over Support for Pedro Castillo
Deposed Peruvian President Pedro Castillo is now seeking exile in Mexico after being removed from office last year. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador claims that he is "illegally ousted," and this did not make the current government of Peru happy.
These comments from AMLO resulted in Peru withdrawing their diplomats from the country indefinitely, with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte denouncing the Mexican president and saying that his comments were "unacceptable" and that Mexico was interfering in the internal affairs of the country.
President Boluarte, who was previously the vice president serving under Castillo, stated that AMLO's remarks had seriously affected the relationship between the two Latin American countries as she accused Lopez Obrador of supporting Castillo's attempted coup, according to the BBC.
"Mr. Lopez has decided to seriously affect the bicentennial relations of mutual respect, friendship, co-operation, and desire for integration that have historically united Peru and Mexico," the Peruvian president stated as she announced the recall of her country's ambassador to Mexico.
The diplomatic rift began when Peru expelled the Mexican ambassador to the country last December. This came after Mexico granted political asylum to Castillo's wife and two sons, according to Al Jazeera News. The former Peruvian first lady is also caught up in various corruption investigations.
Mexico to Maintain its Diplomats in Peru Despite Peruvian Pullout
Despite Boluarte announcing the withdrawal of the Peruvian Ambassador to Mexico, Manuel Gerardo Talavera, the Mexican foreign ministry announced that the North American country will be maintaining its diplomatic and consular representation in Peru.
The Mexican Foreign Ministry also stated that it would keep communication channels open. However, it also announced that Peru's decision to withdraw its ambassador to Mexico was regrettable.
READ NEXT: Peru Expels Mexican Ambassador
The removal of Castillo from office sparked outrage from various other Latin American countries, including Bolivia, Argentina, and Colombia. Along with Mexico, they have also urged Peru to reinstate him.
Castillo was removed from office after repeated tries by congress to have him impeached. While in the process of impeaching him, Castillo announced that he dissolved congress, with congress announcing he has been deposed. Castillo soon gave himself up, and his family fled to Mexico.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Vows to Keep Supporting Pedro Castillo
Despite angering the current Peruvian government, AMLO is standing by Pedro Castillo. During a news conference on Friday, the Mexican president stated that his country will keep supporting former President Pedro Castillo. Lopez Obrador stated that Castillo was democratically elected and illegally ousted by a deeply unpopular Congress and government.
According to Al Jazeera News, he also hit at the violent crackdowns by government forces on protestors, saying that the government rules with bayonets and repression, with force."
AMLO claimed that there was injustice in Castillo's ouster and that Peruvian conservatives violated the constitution.
Currently, Pedro Castillo is under pre-trial detention after his attempted dissolution of congress by decree to avoid impeachment.
His arrest also sparked demonstrations that resulted in violent reprisals from government forces, according to Reuters. These government actions have been widely criticized by human rights groups like Amnesty International.
READ MORE: Pedro Castillo Ousted as Peru President
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
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