Peru Declares Mexican President Persona Non Grata Amid Escalating Diplomatic Dispute

Peru's Congress voted 63 to 34 on Thursday in favor of declaring Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum a persona non grata, a move that effectively bars her from entering the country. The decision comes amid an escalating diplomatic dispute between the two nations, with Peru's government accusing Mexico of interfering in its internal affairs. The designation of persona non grata is typically reserved for foreign diplomats and compels them to leave a host country, in this case, Peru. The move is seen as a rebuke to Sheinbaum's government for granting asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chavez, who fled to the Mexican embassy in Lima. Peru's government has maintained that Chavez's asylum was a breach of diplomatic protocol and an interference in its internal affairs. "We cannot accept that a foreign government interferes in our internal affairs, and that's what happened in this case," said Peruvian Foreign Minister César Landa. "We will continue to defend our sovereignty and our institutions." Mexico's government has defended its decision to grant asylum to Chavez, arguing that it was a humanitarian gesture. "We cannot abandon someone who is fleeing persecution and violence," said Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard. "We will continue to stand by our decision and defend our sovereignty." The diplomatic dispute between Peru and Mexico has been escalating for weeks, with both countries trading barbs and accusations. The dispute began when Peru's government accused Mexico of interfering in its internal affairs, and Mexico responded by accusing Peru of violating the rights of its citizens. The current status of the diplomatic dispute remains uncertain, with both countries maintaining a hardline stance. Peru's Congress has vowed to take further action against Sheinbaum and her government, while Mexico has vowed to defend its sovereignty and its decision to grant asylum to Chavez. In the meantime, the diplomatic fallout continues to grow, with both countries experiencing a deterioration in relations. The dispute has also sparked concerns among regional leaders, who are urging both countries to resolve their differences through diplomatic channels. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the diplomatic dispute between Peru and Mexico will be resolved. One thing is certain, however: the current tensions between the two countries are unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.