Peru Increases Security Around Mexican Embassy Amidst Betssy Chávez Asylum Case
Peru has significantly increased police presence around the Mexican embassy in Lima, fearing a potential escape attempt by former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who has been granted diplomatic asylum and faces charges related to the political turmoil surrounding ex-President Pedro Castillo. The heightened security measures, implemented beginning December 25, come as authorities investigate Chávez’s alleged role in Castillo’s attempt to dissolve Congress in December 2022.
The general commander of the National Police, General Óscar Arriola, reported that the number of agents stationed at all entrances to the embassy in the San Isidro district has been “doubled and even tripled” due to concerns that the Christmas holiday period could be exploited for an escape.
Chávez was sentenced in November to 11 years, 5 months, and 15 days in prison for conspiracy to rebel, alongside Castillo and other collaborators. However, she remains in the Mexican embassy, protected by the diplomatic asylum granted by the Mexican government. Peru has yet to issue the necessary safe conduct allowing her to depart the country without facing arrest.
Adding another layer to the complex situation, Chávez recently resigned from the Todo con el Pueblo party, which is affiliated with Castillo and part of the Together for Peru alliance, as they prepare for the 2026 elections. In a letter released by her lawyer, Chávez cited “personal reasons, linked to a responsible political reading and coherence with my democratic principles and values” as the basis for her decision.
Notably, Chávez’s mother, Herminia Chino, has entered the political arena as a Senate candidate for the Podemos Peru party. Her campaign is unfolding within a network of alliances involving former members of Castillo’s political circle and other factions on the Peruvian left.
Chávez’s legal counsel, Raúl Noblecilla, stated that the exiled former minister “will remain firm on the path to recovering the country in peace and social justice” and expressed support for his mother’s Senate bid.
The case has triggered a significant diplomatic rift between Peru and Mexico. Peru severed diplomatic relations with Mexico in November 2025 in direct response to the asylum granted to Chávez, marking one of the most severe diplomatic crises between the two nations in decades. The ongoing situation underscores the deep political divisions within Peru and the challenges facing the current government as it navigates the aftermath of Castillo’s attempted power grab.
