Former President of the Council of Ministers Betssy Chávez left Peru for Mexico after President Keiko Fujimori authorized a safe conduct permit for her. Chávez had been staying under diplomatic asylum at the Mexican Embassy before departing the country. The decision triggered divided reactions among Peruvian authorities, lawmakers, and former officials.
President Keiko Fujimori defended the measure, stating that her administration acted institutionally and in accordance with international law. She said it was appropriate to grant the safe conduct to Chávez, emphasizing that the government should not act based on political affiliations. Fujimori added that the decision was well received by Mexico and contributed to restoring diplomatic relations between the two nations.
In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum described the granting of the safe conduct as an act of good will by the Peruvian government. Sheinbaum stated that the decision would allow the two countries to re-establish diplomatic relations. However, she clarified that Mexico will maintain its stance regarding former President Pedro Castillo.
Support from officials and lawmakers
Minister of Labor Juan Sheput considered that Peru fulfilled its international commitments by granting the safe conduct, highlighting that it demonstrates respect for the institution of asylum. He noted that the decision constitutes a State decision that will help restore relations with Mexico. The Partido del Buen Gobierno, led by party president Jorge Nieto, also backed the measure, stating that Peru must honor its signed international treaties on diplomatic asylum even when they are unfavorable, allowing progress in normalizing ties.
Support also came from members of Congress within the Juntos por el Perú group. Deputy and spokesperson Ernesto Zunini said the delivery of the document aligned with international diplomatic asylum treaties and welcomed the normalization of relations with Mexico. Senator Jaime Quito stated that the safe conduct was mandatory under the Caracas Convention on Diplomatic Asylum. Deputies Catherin Palomino and Yennifer Paredes also supported the decision, with Paredes describing asylum as a right and praising President Fujimori's initial actions.
Criminal defense lawyer Humberto Abanto called the decision correct because it enables Peru to fulfill international obligations and respect its Constitution. However, Abanto argued that the Peruvian State should appeal to the International Court of Justice to challenge Mexico's decision to classify Chávez as politically persecuted.
Rejection and extradition demands
In contrast, lawmakers from Renovación Popular opposed the safe conduct. Senator and first vice president of the Senate Alejandro Muñante said the Supreme Court has the opportunity to uphold the sentence against Chávez, stressing that no one is above the law. Deputy Aldo Bravo questioned allowing Chávez to leave the country despite having a sentence against her, calling on the Peruvian State to activate legal and diplomatic channels to request her extradition from Mexico. Paola Martínez also urged the Judiciary, the Public Ministry, and the Government to process an eventual extradition.
Frank Krklec rejected the safe conduct and criticized granting it to restore relations with Mexico, arguing that foreign policy must rely on mutual respect and international law. Senator Lourdes Alcorta expressed disagreement, stating the matter could have been handled differently. José Baella noted that Chávez was sentenced by Peruvian courts and argued she should have served her sentence inside the country.
Reactions from former officials
Former congressman Yonhy Lescano viewed the restoration of relations and the safe conduct positively, while calling for attention to other pending matters. Anahí Durand described the release of the safe conduct as important, stating that Chávez is now safe from political persecution. Lawyer and former congressman Víctor Andrés García Belaunde questioned the terms of the rapprochement, asking whether it represented a negotiation between equals or an imposition. Meanwhile, Alberto Otárola, former president of the Council of Ministers, said the safe conduct complied with the law and helped normalize relations, though he recalled past differences between Peru and Mexico during the presidency of Pedro Castillo.
