A Peruvian court has escalated its legal pursuit of former prime minister Betssy Chávez by issuing an international arrest warrant against her. She faces serious charges related to her alleged involvement in the failed 2022 coup attempt orchestrated by former President Pedro Castillo.
The Failed Coup and Political Fallout
Chávez currently remains inside the Mexican embassy in Lima, where she sought asylum earlier this month. The former prime minister served under Castillo's administration, which ended abruptly in December 2022 when Castillo attempted to dissolve Congress during an intense political confrontation. This move has been widely characterized as an attempted coup d'état.
The dramatic events unfolded when Castillo tried to reach the Mexican embassy with his family to request asylum, but authorities intercepted and arrested him before he could achieve this goal. He now faces charges of rebellion and abuse of authority, while Chávez was charged alongside him in the same case.
Legal Proceedings and Diplomatic Tensions
Both Castillo and Chávez went on trial in March, with prosecutors seeking severe prison sentences. Chávez faces a potential 25-year prison term, while prosecutors are pushing for an even longer 34-year sentence for Castillo himself. The former president has been held in preventive detention since his impeachment.
Chávez's situation took a different turn as she was initially released on bail before eventually seeking refuge at the Mexican ambassador's residence. Peruvian authorities are currently reviewing Mexico's request for safe passage that would allow her to leave the country.
Diplomatic Relations Severely Damaged
The political crisis has severely damaged relations between Peru and Mexico. Lima has completely severed diplomatic relations with Mexico, accusing its neighbor of interfering in Peru's internal affairs by granting asylum to Chávez.
Friday's court ruling not only authorized the international arrest warrant but also ordered that Chávez must serve five months of pretrial detention once apprehended. This development marks a significant escalation in the legal battle surrounding the 2022 political crisis that continues to shape Peru's political landscape.
The case has drawn international attention, particularly because Castillo described himself as Peru's first poor president and enjoyed significant support among marginalized communities. The ongoing legal proceedings and diplomatic standoff continue to highlight the deep political divisions within the country.
