Mexico City, Mexico — After Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori took office on July 28, the new leader sought to restore diplomatic ties with Mexico, which were damaged following the ousting of former President Pedro Castillo.
Since Castillo’s arrest in December 2022 for attempting to dissolve Congress, the Mexican government has remained steadfast in its support for the leftist leader, drawing criticism from Peru’s de facto government and resulting in a standstill in bilateral relations.
Fujimori quickly moved to heal the strained ties, prompting Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to reaffirm her government’s position in defense of Castillo during a morning briefing on July 29.
“The president of Peru also knows that we have a position regarding President Castillo, and it is a position that we have consistently maintained. But beyond that, we obviously do not want a rupture in relations,” President Sheinbaum said.
In 2022, then-Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador was quick to condemn Castillo’s removal and arrest, siding with the leftist leader and denouncing what he described as a plot by Peru’s political elite to depose the president and install a compliant successor inside the presidential office.
The diplomatic friction began after the Mexican government granted refuge to Castillo’s family and peaked in late 2025, when former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez requested political asylum at the Mexican Embassy in Peru after being sentenced to 11 years in prison over her alleged involvement in Castillo’s attempt to dissolve Congress.
Sheltering Chávez further escalated tensions between the two countries, ultimately leading to the suspension of diplomatic relations.
At Peru’s request, Brazil is currently serving as the protecting power for the Mexican Embassy in Lima.
Sheinbaum underscored that her government continues to seek safe passage for Chávez to travel to Mexico.
“We obviously want the person who is at our embassy, and who is currently being protected by Brazil, to be granted safe passage so she can come to Mexico. We will see how this develops,” Sheinbaum said.
Fujimori took office on July 28 following years of political upheaval in the South American country after Castillo’s arrest and the interim presidency of Dina Boluarte.
