Peru breaks diplomatic relations with Mexico over asylum claim of former prime minister

Peru’s government on Monday announced the country was severing diplomatic relations with Mexico over the asylum claim of former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who is under investigation for rebellion. Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela told reporters that Mexico’s decision to start the asylum process for Chávez constituted an “unfriendly act” that adds to the existing tensions between the two countries. The office of Peru’s President José Jerí in a statement then accused Mexico’s government of “repeated” interference with the internal affairs of the South American country.