Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/LIMA: Mexico has said that it was considering granting asylum to Pedro Castillo, Peru’s former President following his impeachment.
Pedro was impeached and then accused of rebellion as the situation took a dramatic turn on Wednesday. Castillo (53) is now in custody in the capital and the largest city of Peru, Lima. He has sent his asylum request to Mexico’s president a lawyer. Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard has said the two countries are discussing the issue.
Castillo was removed from office following his efforts to dissolve the Congress. Facing an impeachment vote, he announced he was dissolving the opposition-dominated legislative body. But Congress voted overwhelmingly to oust him from office. Castillo’s bodyguards then stopped him from seeking refuge at the Mexican embassy in the capital Lima. Later, Congress swore in his vice-president, Dina Boluarte (60) as the new President.
Castillo ousted over ‘rebellion attempt’
Castillo’s lawyer requested to Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in a letter sent late on Wednesday to consider granting him asylum in the face of the unfounded persecution. He said the authorities intend to prosecute him for mere announcements of will or intention that do not constitute any criminal offence, according to the letter.
Ambassador of Mexico
According to Ebrard, the Mexican ambassador to Peru, Pablo Monroy, met Castillo in Lima and found Castillo physically well and in the company of his lawyer. Ms Boluarte, was Castillo’s running mate in the 2021 election. She quickly distanced herself from him on Wednesday when he tried to dissolve Congress. The move was seen as an “attempted coup”.
Capital Lima on Wednesday saw skirmishes between police and angry Castillo supporters.
