Peru and Mexico resume diplomatic relations after asylum dispute over former official

Peru and Mexico restored diplomatic relations on August 7, 2026, ending a nine-month rupture. The breakthrough occurred after Peru's newly inaugurated President Keiko Fujimori granted safe passage to former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who had been holed up in Mexico's Lima embassy since November 2025. Chávez, convicted of conspiracy alongside ousted President Pedro Castillo, flew to Mexico on a military plane. While Peru maintains its right to seek her extradition, both nations agreed to reopen embassies.

Peru-Mexico diplomatic restoration

• ▪Peru and Mexico agreed to resume diplomatic relations on August 7, 2026, following a months-long split over an asylum dispute.
• ▪The diplomatic reconciliation was initiated under Peru's newly inaugurated right-wing President Keiko Fujimori, who took office in late July 2026.
• ▪The restoration of diplomatic ties was announced in a joint statement citing historic bonds of brotherhood, friendship, and cooperation.

Betssy Chávez safe passage

• ▪Peru's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the safe-conduct does not alter Betssy Chávez's judicial situation, and Peru reserves the right to seek her eventual extradition.
• ▪Betssy Chávez departed Peru around midnight on August 6-7, 2026, from the Callao military base aboard a Mexican Air Force aircraft.
• ▪Peru granted a safe-conduct pass to former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, allowing her to leave the Mexican embassy in Lima and travel to Mexico.

Mexican asylum grant

• ▪Betssy Chávez had been sheltering inside the Mexican embassy compound in Lima since November 2025, latterly under Brazilian custody after diplomatic ties were severed.
• ▪Peru severed diplomatic relations with Mexico in November 2025 after the Mexican government granted diplomatic asylum to former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez.

Pedro Castillo coup attempt

• ▪Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was impeached, removed from office, and arrested in December 2022 after attempting to dissolve Congress.
• ▪Betssy Chávez was sentenced in November 2025 to over 11 years in prison for conspiracy to commit rebellion regarding Pedro Castillo's 2022 attempt to dissolve Congress.
• ▪Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on August 7, 2026, that Mexico will continue to defend ousted Peruvian President Pedro Castillo.

Bilateral political tensions

• ▪Peru's Congress previously voted to declare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum a 'persona non grata' amid the ongoing diplomatic dispute.
• ▪Mexico's visa requirement for Peruvian citizens, suspended in April 2024 due to irregular migration flows, remains unchanged despite the restoration of diplomatic ties.
• ▪Mexico and Peru have not exchanged ambassadors since early 2023 due to disputes over Mexico's support for Pedro Castillo, whose family was granted asylum by Mexico.