Buenos Aires, 4 November 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Peru on Monday announced it was breaking off diplomatic relations with Mexico after the Mexican Embassy in Lima granted asylum to former Peruvian prime minister Betssy Chávez, who is facing charges over an alleged 2022 coup attempt.

"As is publicly known, since the failed coup attempt led by former President [Pedro] Castillo, the Mexican Government has been interfering in an unacceptable and systematic manner in Peru's internal affairs," the Peruvian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that "in an unfriendly act that adds to the series of unacceptable acts of interference by the Mexican Government towards Peru, the Mexican Embassy in Lima announced today that its government has granted diplomatic asylum to Ms Betssy Chávez Chino."

"This fact demonstrates the Mexican Government's profound lack of interest in maintaining a relationship with Peru," the statement continued.

Chávez was formerly the cabinet chief of then-president Castillo, who was ousted by parliament at the end of 2022 after a power struggle with Congress. Castillo has been in custody since then on charges of attempting a coup.

Castillo, a former village schoolteacher, was supported mainly by farmers and indigenous people, and counts the left-wing Mexican government among his allies. Castillo's wife and children are also currently living in Mexico.

Chávez was arrested in 2023 on charges of rebellion and conspiracy. In September the Constitutional Court overturned her pre-trial detention.

MIA file photo