Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/PERU: Peru has recalled its ambassador from Mexico after President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that the new government in the country was “unconstitutional.”
Mexican President Obrador also said that former president of Peru Pedro Castillo had been “illegally deposed.”
Dina Boluarte, the current president of Peru, criticised what she called “unacceptable” meddling in its “internal affairs.” She claimed that the comments would negatively impact ties between the countries.
The expulsion of Pedro Castillo in December set up nationwide demonstrations that are still ongoing today and have resulted in at least 50 fatalities. The 53-year-old is currently in prison and is being tried on accusations of rebellion and conspiracy after an unsuccessful attempt to dissolve Congress to thwart a vote to impeach him.
The vice-president of Castillo, Boularte, has so far resisted repeated requests from demonstrators for her to resign and make way for constitutional reform.
Speaking on Friday, she alleged that her Mexican counterpart had supported Castillo’s alleged coup attempt. She said, “Lopez has opted to severely undermine the bicentennial relations of mutual respect, friendliness, cooperation, and desire for integration that have historically brought Peru and Mexico together.”
The envoy’s recall comes two months after Mexico’s ambassador to Peru was expelled for granting Castillo’s family political refuge. Bolivia, Argentina, and Colombia have all called on Peru to return Castillo, joining Obrador in criticising the decision.
