Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebard, reaffirmed that his country has granted asylum to the family of Pedro Castillo, ousted former president of Peru, as recently announced by Dina Boluarte. The Chancellor explained that the members of the former president's family are at the Mexican embassy in Peru and that they are waiting for a safe-conduct to be given to them so that they can leave for the airport and travel if they wish to do so.
"Asylum has already been granted to them because they are in Mexican territory. That is, they are in our embassy and when they are in the embassy you grant them asylum. It is an independent and sovereign decision by Mexico," said Ebard. The Mexican foreign secretary did not clarify exactly which members of Pedro Castillo's family were in the diplomatic residence. However, it is believed that the two sons of the former president and his wife, Lilia Paredes, would be present.
La familia del expresidente peruano @PedroCastilloTe se encuentra en la Embajada de México en Lima. Están a la espera de un salvoconducto para salir del país asilados. Así lo confirmó el canciller mexicano @m_ebrard pic.twitter.com/li3Y5omhIJ
— Patricia Janiot (@patriciajaniot) December 20, 2022
Asylum would not comply with international law
Following Mexico's decision, Eduardo Ferrero, former Peruvian foreign minister, said that the protection given to Castillo's family does not comply with international law because their lives are not in danger, nor are they being persecuted by the justice system.
The Peruvian politician also explained that now the family members who are in the embassy could stay there for several months. This is unless they are granted the safe conduct that Ebard announced is under negotiation.
"The safe-conduct allows her to leave the Mexican embassy, accompanied by the Mexican ambassador, in a Mexican embassy car, go to the airport and take the plane, despite the fact that there is an exit impediment order (from the Peruvian government)," he said.
The asylum does not include Pedro Castillo
Although Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) made it clear that he would be willing to give Castillo political asylum, for the time being the former Peruvian president has not requested it. "Mexico has open doors for the president of Peru, for his family, for all those who feel harassed or persecuted," AMLO said.
It should be recalled that the former leader of the Peruvian nation is in Barbadillo prison facing 18 months of preventive detention for alleged conspiracy and rebellion.
