Peruvian writer and journalist Jaime Bayly claimed President Keiko Fujimori phoned his home to offer him three separate ambassador positions in Foreign Ministry appointments.
The broadcaster revealed details of the phone conversation in a video published on his YouTube channel, saying the call occurred on September 7, 2026.
Bayly said the unexpected call followed his public statements expressing dissatisfaction with Foreign Minister Carlos Espá for failing to consider him for a diplomatic post in the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
Before receiving the call, Bayly had publicly reminded viewers of his past history with Espá, claiming that the foreign minister was in debt to him.
Recounting the morning of the phone call, Bayly explained that he was resting at his residence when his wife, Peruvian author Silvia Núñez del Arco, answered the telephone.
Although Núñez del Arco informed the caller that Bayly was sleeping, the caller insisted on speaking with him regarding an important proposal, prompting his wife to wake him up.
Telephone Offer and Initial Expectations
Bayly acknowledged taking the phone call in a less than cheerful mood before learning that Fujimori was on the line to present diplomatic options.
According to Bayly, Fujimori explained that Foreign Minister Espá had informed her of Bayly's disappointment over not receiving a diplomatic appointment.
The author said that when the possibility of becoming an ambassador was raised, he initially envisioned postings in Latin American or European capitals such as Montevideo in Uruguay, Santiago in Chile, or Madrid in Spain.
Rejection of the Caracas Mission
Instead of those capitals, Fujimori presented the Embassy of Peru in Caracas, Venezuela, as the first alternative, stating that she and Espá viewed him as an ideal ambassador for Caracas.
Bayly said he immediately rejected the Caracas offer due to his critical stance against the Venezuelan government and his outspoken opposition to official Delcy Rodríguez.
The journalist stated that he told Fujimori he was unwilling to accept a diplomatic mission in Venezuela while the country remained under what he described as a cruel and corrupt dictatorship.
Furthermore, Bayly claimed the Caracas offer came with a specific condition requiring him to issue a public retraction and offer an apology for his previous remarks about Rodríguez.
He recalled being told that if he wished to accept the embassy in Caracas, he would have to apologize publicly on his television program or through his YouTube videos.
Bayly refused to comply with the demand for a public retraction and ruled out relocating to the Venezuelan capital.
Security Concerns Over the Tehran Post
Following the refusal of Caracas, Fujimori allegedly proposed a second diplomatic option: serving as Peru's ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran, based in Tehran.
Bayly said the proposal took him by surprise and that he swiftly turned it down due to the security situation in that region.
The commentator recounted telling Fujimori that she seemed to want him killed, asking how he could serve as an ambassador while American bombs were falling in the area.
According to Bayly's account, Fujimori explained that the diplomatic representation in Tehran was of special political sensitivity, requiring someone who could defend Peruvian interests there.
Bayly maintained that he would not leave his current home in Miami, Florida, for Tehran under any circumstances, adding that he doubted his family would agree to settle in Iran.
He described the exchange as a humorous, joke-filled conversation where he raised objections to each option, noting that a moment of silence followed his refusal of Tehran, which he interpreted as a sign that his arguments had been understood.
Third Offer in Oslo Declined
The third diplomatic alternative mentioned by Bayly was the Embassy of Peru in Oslo, Norway, which he said arose from a recommendation by Minister Espá.
Bayly recounted that Fujimori mentioned Espá's belief that the cold Scandinavian climate would be more suitable for him than the warm temperatures of Miami.
During the conversation, Fujimori reportedly attributed to Bayly a preference for cold weather and a dislike of warm locations, despite his current residence in Florida.
Despite the climate argument, Bayly declined the Norwegian post, humorously explaining that he had a friend living in Oslo and feared his arrival as ambassador could end up negatively affecting his friend's situation.
Outcome of the Phone Call
Bayly concluded his recount by describing the entire phone conversation with Fujimori as unfruitful after he rejected all three diplomatic options detailed in his video.
Jaime Bayly is a prominent Peruvian writer, journalist, and television commentator based in Miami, known for his novels and long-running broadcast commentary on Latin American political affairs.
Keiko Fujimori is a leading Peruvian political figure and head of the Fuerza Popular political party.
Carlos Espá serves as the Minister of Foreign Relations of Peru, overseeing the nation's Ministry of Foreign Relations and diplomatic appointments worldwide.
