Peru has announced a “definitive recall” of its ambassador to Colombia, accusing the neighbouring country of downplaying the recent attempted power grab by Former President Pedro Castillo. The Peruvian foreign ministry accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of “repeated interference and offensive expressions” by ignoring that a coup d’etat took place in Peru in December 2022. Diplomatic relations between the two countries are now formally at the level of charge d’affaires. Castillo has been in jail since December 7, 2022, after attempting to dissolve parliament and rule by decree.
His removal sparked mass nationwide protests that have left at least 54 people dead and some 600 injured. Peru has also previously recalled its ambassador to Mexico over allegations of violating the principle of non-interference in internal affairs. It seems that the diplomatic dispute between Peru and Mexico stems from the latter’s position on the removal of former President Pedro Castillo. Peru’s recall of its ambassador to Mexico is related to the allegation that Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador violated the principle of non-interference in internal affairs by calling Castillo’s removal “illegal.” This dispute has also affected the Pacific Alliance, a trade group that includes Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Mexico, as Lopez Obrador has refused to hand over the rotating presidency to Peru’s successor, Dina Boluarte.
