STORY: Mexico expressed regret over Peru's decision to sever diplomatic relations following the granting of asylum to Peru's former Prime Minister, although officials say trade ties remain unaffected. Country's president, Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed Tuesday (November 4) that former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chavez is sheltering in Mexico's embassy in Lima after seeking asylum.

"This minister was imprisoned, she was released and decided to seek asylum in Mexico," Sheinbaum said during her daily press conference, adding that Mexico evaluated her request according to standard procedures.

Peru announced the diplomatic rupture after Mexico granted Chavez asylum and requested safe passage for her to leave the country. Chavez faces criminal charges for her alleged role in former President Pedro Castillo's failed attempt to dissolve Congress in December 2022. Prosecutors are seeking a 25-year sentence.

Chavez, who was imprisoned from June 2023 until her release by a judge in September, has denied knowing about Castillo's plan.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: MEXICAN PRESIDENT CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM DURING PRESS CONFERENCE / SOUNDBITES FROM SHEINBAUM AND MEXICAN OFFICIALS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE STORY

SHOWS: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (NOVEMBER 4, 2025) (MEXICAN GOVERNMENT TV - Access all)

1. PRESS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN PRESIDENT, CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM, SAYING:

[SOUNDBITE BEGINS WITH SHOT OF REPORTER ASKING QUESTION THEN OVER SHOTS OF SHEINBAUM]

"The trade relationship continues, as do diplomatic relations, and that is their decision."

3. PRESS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN PRESIDENT, CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM, SAYING:

[SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER DIFFERENT SHOTS OF SHEINBAUM]

"This minister was imprisoned, she was released, and decided to seek asylum in Mexico. Here in Mexico, her request was evaluated as all such requests are evaluated, and she entered the Mexican Embassy in Peru, where she remains to this day. It is because of this that the current president of Peru, through his foreign minister, made the decision to break diplomatic relations with Mexico."

5. PRESS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FORMER MEXICAN AMBASSADOR IN PERU, PABLO MONROY, SAYING:

[SOUNDBITE CONTINUES ANOTHER SHOT OF MONROY]

"We regret and reject such an extreme measure as breaking off relations, which only harms people."

7. PRESS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNDERSECRETARY FOR NORTH AMERICA, ROBERTO VELASCO, SAYING: [SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER DIFFERENT SHOTS OF VELASCO DURING PRESS CONFERENCE]

"The Mexican government granted asylum to Mrs. Betssy Chavez. We submitted a request for safe passage to be granted so that she could leave the country. This is in accordance with Mexico's long tradition of diplomatic asylum and political asylum, which is rooted in our history and our humanistic principles, and in strict compliance with international law."

9. PRESS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS