Karla Ornelas, the head of the Mexican embassy in Peru, left the country on Saturday night, a week after the Government of José Jerí expelled her with a “peremptory deadline.” Some journalists stationed at the residence, located in the Lima district of San Isidro, reported the departure of a van towards the Jorge Chávez airport. For a few hours there was a rumor that Betssy Chávez, Pedro Castillo’s former prime minister, accused of rebellion and conspiracy, was in the vehicle, whose asylum sparked the diplomatic crisis between Peru and Mexico.
Migrations ended at the edge of midnight with the speculations that spread like wildfire on social networks. “On the date and as provided by the Government of Peru, the chargé d’affaires of the United Mexican States carried out her exit immigration control and left the country,” the Interior agency said in a brief statement.
It is not the first time that Peru has high ranking. In December 2022, he removed ambassador Pablo Monroy in retaliation for having been instrumental in Mexico granting asylum to the wife and children of former president Pedro Castillo after his failed attempt to break the constitutional order. Now, the clash is repeated with Karla Ornelas, who gave her approval for Chávez, one of the alleged co-authors of the self-coup, to take refuge in the embassy.
The Mexican Government has determined that Chávez is a persecuted politician, like Pedro Castillo. A perception that has been questioned by the Peruvian political class. A few days ago, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement where it suspended the delivery of the safe conduct that Chávez needs to travel to Mexico. The Government of José Jerí —— resists under the argument that the right to diplomatic asylum has been distorted by granting it to those who are not persecuted.
Some internationalists maintain that Peru must comply with its international commitments and not put more stones in this mess that has broken relations between two countries that in two hundred years of history had almost no impasses. This is a conflict that has escalated for three years. The truth is that, according to an Ipsos survey for the newspaper Peru 21a large sector of the population believes that Betssy Chávez should stay in Peru to face her trial. 79% agree with it. A percentage that decreases to 75% in the regions and grows to 84% in Lima, the capital.
The situation of Betssy Chávez. It remains in the Mexican embassy, but without the presence of its highest representative. If she steps foot outside the residence she will be arrested. The Executive, meanwhile, has indicated that it will ask the OAS to reform the Caracas Convention, because “a negative evolution has occurred in its international practice.” He will talk with the member countries to submit a proposal. A process with no deadline in sight that will only lengthen the decision regarding the former prime minister.
A few days ago, the Public Ministry requested that the appearance granted to Betssy Chávez be revoked and that she be given a new preventive detention for “failing to comply with all the imposed restrictions.” As recalled, the lawyer was imprisoned from mid-2023 until September, when she regained her freedom thanks to a ruling by the Constitutional Court. A new decision will be known this November 13.
