Peru Reinforces Security at Mexican Embassy to Prevent Escape

The Peruvian National Police (PNP) significantly increased security operations outside the Mexican Ambassador's residence in the San Isidro district during the early hours of Dec. 25, 2025. The measure aimed to prevent any potential escape attempts by former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who was granted asylum at the diplomatic mission on Nov. 3, 2025.

PNP Commander Óscar Arriola confirmed that security personnel at the perimeter had been doubled and tripled in recent days. Speaking to local media, Arriola explained that the operation was designed to counter any assumptions that security might be relaxed due to the Christmas holidays or personnel rotations. He clarified that the police presence is strictly external to verify that established security protocols are being met, ruling out any intrusion into the diplomatic premises.

Chávez has remained at the Mexican residence following an 11-year prison sentence handed down for conspiracy to commit rebellion, stemming from the failed coup d'état in December 2022. Although she is under the protection of the Mexican government, Peruvian authorities have refused to grant the safe conduct required for her to leave Peru and travel to Mexico.

In a related political development, Chávez formally resigned from the Todo con el Pueblo party, an organization linked to former President Pedro Castillo, on Dec. 24, 2025. Her lawyer, Raúl Noblecilla, published a letter citing reasons of political coherence and democratic conviction for her departure. 

Peru Severes Ties With Mexico

On Nov. 4, 2025, MBN reported that Peru announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Mexico after confirming that former Chávez was seeking asylum at the Mexican Embassy in Lima. Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo De Zela characterized the move as an unfriendly act and a continuation of the Mexican government's interference in Peru's internal affairs.

Despite the diplomatic rupture, de Zela clarified that consular relations between the two nations remain intact. President Claudia Sheinbaum, who was declared persona non grata by the Peruvian Congress in September 2025 for her support of former President Pedro Castillo, has maintained that her actions align with established diplomatic policies.

The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) rejected Peru's decision to break diplomatic relations, labeling the move as excessive and disproportionate. In an official statement, the Mexican government asserted that granting asylum to Chávez complies with international law, specifically the 1954 Caracas Convention on Diplomatic Asylum. SRE emphasized that, under this convention, the asylum-granting state holds the sole authority to determine the nature of the persecution. 

Furthermore, Mexico denied interfering in Peru's internal affairs, stating that protecting politically persecuted individuals is a legitimate act that should not be considered unfriendly. "Mexico will remain faithful to its humanist tradition of defending human rights and providing protection to persons persecuted for political reasons. Likewise, it will always privilege dialogue and the friendly settlement of disputes," the statement read.