By Oyintari Ben
Tuesday marked the latest escalation in relations between the two countries since Peru deposed Pedro Castillo as president when it labelled Mexico’s ambassador to Lima “persona non grata” and ordered him to leave the country.
The unexpected order gives Mexico’s ambassador to the South American nation just 72 hours to leave, which is a severe diplomatic sanction.
The decision by the Peruvian government came hours after Mexico’s top ambassador declared that his nation had granted shelter to Castillo’s family. Castillo is currently imprisoned and facing rebellion charges after trying what some have referred to as a coup on December 7.
The removal of Mexican Ambassador Pablo Monroy was attributed by Peru’s foreign ministry to “repeated statements from that country’s highest authorities regarding the political situation in Peru,” a subtly alluding reference to the support Mexican President Pena Nieto has given fellow leftist Castillo since his ouster by a resounding vote of lawmakers and subsequent arrest.
Tuesday night, Mexico’s foreign minister blasted Monroy’s deportation on Twitter, calling it “unjustified and terrible.”
Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the president of Mexico, slammed Castillo’s ouster as undemocratic last week while reiterating his continued recognition of Castillo as Peru’s legitimate president.
The administration was negotiating safe passage for Castillo’s family, who were inside the Mexican Embassy in Lima, according to Marcelo Ebrard, the foreign minister of Mexico, who made his remarks at a news conference earlier in the day.
Later on Tuesday, Castillo’s wife and their two kids’ safe passage were formally authorized, according to Ana Cecilia Gervasi, Peru’s foreign minister.
