Peru's Political Crisis is Becoming a Regional Problem

Although the Mexican government stated that it will continue its diplomatic relations with the new Peruvian government, experts emphasize that the country is being isolated internationally. In addition, they highlighted that the Peruvian situation must be addressed as the country is a key player in regional trade relations.

In December 2022, Pedro Castillo, the former President of Peru, was removed from office after an attempted coup; Castillo was deposed after he tried to dissolve the Peruvian Congress following corruption allegations. He then 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.

Since the start of this government headed by Boluarte, it has generated serious diplomatic problems with Latin American countries. The first row developed with Mexico. Bolivia, Colombia, Chile and the US followed. The problem with Mexico originated when President López Obrador offered political asylum to Castillo and his family. In addition, the Mexican president accused the new government of removing Castillo for his left-wing allegiance.

In response to what the Peruvian government considers to be political interference by Mexican authorities, it declared Mexican Ambassador Pablo Monroy as persona non grata and gave him 72 hours to leave the country. 

Diplomatic tensions with Peru have risen after several countries accused the government of repressing opposing forces and barring a democratic process. With little support for the new government, experts warn that Peru could head toward international isolation.

"We run the risk of isolating ourselves, at least partially. The relationship with Mexico is tense, I think it was not necessary to expel the Mexican ambassador and it was not essential to prevent Evo Morales from entering Peru. Peruvian diplomacy has to do its job, it has to act to improve the situation," said Ramiro Escobar, Professor of International Relations, the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP).

According to experts, Peru's issues should be resolved since the country is part of the Pacific Alliance, which grants tariff preferences to the region. In 2022, López Obrador expected to hand over the presidency of the alliance to Castillo, who would preside the organization in 2023, but the crisis prevented this from happening.

Peru's Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism reported that in the first eight months of 2022, the country's exports to the region reached US$34.741 billion, eleven percent more than in the same period of 2021. Peruvian exports to Mexico were worth US$700 million, while Peruvian imports increased to US$1.221 billion in the same period of 2022.

“Diplomatic relationships, when we look at them from the angle of this specific episode, appear to have broken down, or a rather serious situation has developed. However, the states are aware that they have two different dynamics, one related to state affairs and the other regarding the government in power. In the relationship dynamics of the state, relations do not break from one day to the next,” explained Susana Mosquera, an expert in international law and Professor, the University of Piura (UDEP).