On Jan 25, Brasilia announced that Brazil will act on behalf of Mexico in Peru, stepping in to manage Mexican diplomatic interests in Lima. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry said the decision came at the request of the Mexican government and with the approval of Peruvian authorities.
The representation taken on by Brazil encompasses the protection and safekeeping of the Mexican embassy's physical premises in Peru. That coverage explicitly includes the residence of the head of mission and extends to the embassy's assets and archives, according to the ministry's statement.
This development follows a diplomatic rupture earlier in the region. In early November, Peru's government severed relations with Mexico after Mexico granted asylum to Betssy Chavez at its embassy in Lima. Chavez served as the final prime minister under the ousted and now jailed former President Pedro Castillo. She faces conspiracy charges tied to Castillo's 2022 attempt to dissolve Congress; she has denied those allegations.
The Brazilian statement framed the move as a formal representation arrangement requested by Mexico and consented to by Lima. It did not include additional operational details about how long Brazil will maintain that role or the specific arrangements for custodial oversight of assets and archives.
Summary of the situation
Brazil will represent Mexico's diplomatic interests in Peru, holding responsibility for the Mexican embassy building, the head of mission's residence and the mission's assets and archives. The arrangement follows Peru's break in relations with Mexico after Mexico granted asylum to former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez, who faces legal charges related to events in 2022 and denies the allegations.
Key points
- Brazil assumed representation of Mexico's diplomatic interests in Peru at Mexico's request and with Peru's approval.
- The representation covers safeguarding the Mexican embassy premises, the residence of the head of mission, and the embassy's assets and archives.
- The diplomatic shift comes after Peru severed relations with Mexico in early November following asylum granted to former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez, who faces conspiracy charges tied to a 2022 political crisis.
Risks and uncertainties
- Ongoing diplomatic strain between Peru and Mexico - this concerns diplomatic services and government-to-government relations.
- Legal proceedings against Betssy Chavez - the charges and her denied allegations create political uncertainty tied to Peru's domestic legal and political institutions.
- Potential operational and custodial complexities in managing embassy premises and archives - this affects the administrative and security functions associated with diplomatic missions.