The Mexican government rejected the diplomatic break declared by its Peruvian counterpart, in protest against Mexico's decision to grant asylum to former Minister Betssy Chávez during Pedro Castillo's administration. During this Tuesday's morning conference, Roberto Velasco, Undersecretary for North America, defended the right and tradition of asylum that Mexico has historically upheld.
"Asylum is one of our most noble institutions," he added.
The Director General for South America, Pablo Monroy Conesa, explained in turn that Mexico "has not intervened nor will intervene in the internal affairs of Peru" and added that it has also not declared any Peruvian representative persona non grata, nor has it broken consular relations.
"That is to say, Mexico has the authority to determine whether it is a case of political persecution," he said.
Peru breaks ties with Mexico over asylum for a former Castillo minister
For her part, the Undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, Raquel Serur Smeke, also defended at the conference that political asylum "is a human right" and a symbol of Mexico's humanitarian vocation.
"We maintain a principled position, guided by respect and deep affection for the people of Peru," she assured.
She stated that the government acted "peacefully, with a humanitarian sense and in strict adherence to international law," she said.
The official also noted that Article 4 of the Caracas Convention establishes that it corresponds to the asylum state to qualify the nature of the crime or the motives for persecution.
"Our country has protected thousands of persecuted people throughout its history, from the Spanish refugees saved by Lázaro Cárdenas to those who fled the dictatorships in South America."
