Peru and Mexico resume diplomatic relations after dispute over leftist politician

Peru and Mexico have agreed to resume diplomatic relations, the two countries announced on Friday, after severing them at the end of last year when the Mexican government granted asylum to a former official of ousted leftist Peruvian president Pedro Castillo.

Peru severed diplomatic ties after the Mexican government granted asylum to former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez, who was facing charges of conspiracy for her alleged role in Castillo's 2022 attempt to dissolve Congress. Peru's Congress later voted to declare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum a "persona non grata."

In a statement on Friday, the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had granted Chavez, who had been staying at Mexico's embassy in Lima, safe-conduct to travel to Mexico. It still reserved the right to request her eventual extradition, it said.

Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espa told local radio station RPP that Chavez left the country almost at midnight on Thursday for Mexico in "good health."

Newly elected right-wing President Keiko Fujimori had announced in July, before assuming power, her intention to restore relations with Mexico.

The two countries have not had ambassadors since early 2023 following a dispute over the Mexican government's support for Castillo. Mexico has granted political asylum to the children and wife of the former Peruvian president, who is serving an 11-year prison sentence.