Peru Crisis/Mexico-US-Canada Meeting

Peru crisis. Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard stressed that the Mexican government is still providing support to Mexican citizens trapped in Peru. “So far it has not been necessary to move Air Force planes to transfer Mexican citizens located in Peru. Pedro Castillo's relatives have already been given asylum at the Mexican embassy and they can travel to Mexico if they wish."

Pedro Castillo, former President of Peru, was removed from office after a Coup d’ Etat. Castillo was deposed after he tried to dissolve the Peruvian Congress following corruption allegations against him. President López Obrador announced that Castillo asked for political asylum in Mexico but was arrested before he could reach the Mexican Embassy. Dina Boluarte, former Vice President of Peru, is now temporarily occupying the role of Head of State, becoming the first woman to do so. López Obrador does not acknowledge Boluarte’s government. Moreover, he said it is uncertain if diplomatic relationship between Peru and Mexico will continue. Currently there are approximately 450 Mexicans in Peru.

Eduardo Ferrero, former Peruvian Minister of Foreign Affairs, explained that the asylum granted to Castillo’s family does not comply with international law, as they are not being persecuted by Peruvian authorities and have freedom of transit.

Meeting with the US and Canada. Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrad stressed that Plan Sonora will be a key issue to be addressed during the meeting with US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "We do not want to go into debt but we are open if it is for the Sonora Plan because it is the future of the country. The plan is part of the great industrial revolution. We can no longer build vehicles that use fuel, everything is designed to be electric," said President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

In November, the Sonora Plan was presented at the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP27) in Egypt. Among the plan’s main objectives are lithium extraction in Sonora and gas liquefaction for export, as well as developing the solar plant in Puerto Guaymas and Puerto Peñasco. These efforts are expected to be replicated in different states until they can generate 40 percent of the energy in Mexico.

Mexican authorities said the Sonora plan is expected to become a global benchmark for public efforts to speed up the energy transition, reduce environmental footprints and turn the state into a source of green jobs. In addition, Sonora is expected to become a leader in the production of electronic components and semiconductors in the coming years thanks to its lithium reserves. According to President López Obrador, half of the total vehicles manufactured in Mexico will be electric or hybrid by 2030.

Attacks against journalists. President López Obrador condemned aggressions against journalists such as the recent one against Ciro Gómez Leyva. He assured that despite national and international criticism, the government is investigating these crimes and seeking to improve the safety of journalists. "We are not going to allow any aggression against journalists or any other person. We are going to take care of anyone who asks for our help."

Last week, Leyva, host of the program Por la Mañana on Radio Fórmula said his bullet proof car was shot several times. The Secretary of Citizen Security of the Federal District, Omar García Harfuch, assured that those responsible will be identified. So far, there have been 13 journalists murdered in 2022.