Politics
Mexico consulting with Peru over former President Castillo’s asylum request
The Mexican government has begun talks with Peruvian authorities regarding former President Pedro Castillo’s request to seek asylum
December 9, 2022 5:31am
Updated: December 9, 2022 5:31am
The Mexican government has begun talks with Peruvian authorities regarding former President Pedro Castillo’s request to seek asylum in the North American country, Mexico’s foreign minister said on Thursday.
Mexico’s ambassador to Peru met with Castillo after he was arrested on Wednesday for trying to dissolve congress and stage a coup d’etat, said Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard.
On his Twitter, Ebrard shared a picture of Castillo’s asylum request written by his lawyers and directed to Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The letter states that Castillo was “at grave risk” in Peru and is suffering “unfounded persecution.”
“I have the honor to address you, and in view of the latest political events that have taken place in this country, of which you are aware in great detail, I request that you consider granting asylum to the citizen Pedro Jose Castillo Terrones,” the letter begins.
“This in the face of the unfounded persecution of the organs of justice that have taken a political character in their actions with respect to this person, to such an extent that they intend to prosecute him for mere announcements of will or intention that do not constitute any criminal offense,” the letter continues.
— Marcelo Ebrard C. (@m_ebrard) December 8, 2022
The lawyer also added that he had been unable to meet with Castillo, despite identifying himself as his lawyer.
On early Thursday, Lopez Obrador said that Castillo called him on Wednesday while he was en route to the Mexican embassy in Peru to request asylum. However, he was arrested before reaching the embassy.
