A Peruvian court on Friday issued an international arrest warrant for former prime minister Betssy Chávez, who has taken refuge at Mexico’s embassy in Lima while awaiting trial over her alleged involvement in the 2022 political crisis that led to the ouster of then-president Pedro Castillo.

Chávez, 36, served as prime minister under Castillo, who was impeached and arrested in December 2022 after attempting to dissolve Congress in what authorities have described as an attempted coup d’état. The dramatic episode plunged Peru into political turmoil and severely strained its relations with Mexico.

In December 2022, Castillo was en route to the Mexican embassy with his family to request asylum when he was intercepted by Peruvian security forces and later charged with rebellion and abuse of authority. Mexico granted asylum to his wife and children shortly thereafter.

Chávez was charged alongside Castillo and went on trial in March. While Castillo has remained in preventive detention since his impeachment, Chávez was released on bail. Earlier this month, she sought asylum at the Mexican embassy as Peruvian authorities considered her request for safe passage.

The Peruvian government responded by breaking diplomatic relations with Mexico, accusing it of interfering in its internal affairs. Both countries subsequently recalled their ambassadors.

Peruvian prosecutors are seeking a 25-year prison sentence for Chávez, alleging she played a key role in Castillo’s plan to dissolve Congress. For Castillo, they are asking for a 34-year sentence.

In its ruling Friday, the court also ordered five months of pretrial detention for Chávez once apprehended, citing a high risk of flight.

Following the arrest warrant, security forces increased their presence around Mexico’s embassy in Lima. National Police chief Oscar Arriola emphasized that authorities would not violate international norms, stating, “We respect the right to asylum or refuge… We comply with the norms established in international standards.”

Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez similarly stressed that Peru respects international law and would not engage in any form of aggression against diplomatic premises. “Peru is not capable of exercising violence, much less breaking international laws regarding the immunity of diplomatic missions,” he said.

The standoff now places bilateral relations at their lowest point in years, with both governments waiting for the next move in a dispute that blends domestic political crisis with international diplomatic tension. (ILKHA)