The Brazilian government assumed, on Sunday, the representation of Mexico's diplomatic interests in Peru following the break in relations between the two countries. The measure includes guarding the Mexican embassy, residence, and files, at Mexico's request with Peru's acquiescence. This is in line with the 1961 Vienna Convention.
Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that on January 25, 2026, it took over the custody of Mexico's diplomatic interests in Peru. This action covers the protection of the embassy premises in Lima, the head of mission's residence, as well as assets and diplomatic files. The step fulfills a request from the Mexican government and has the approval of Peruvian authorities, as outlined in Article 45 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which allows a third country to assume such duties in the event of a diplomatic rupture.
The break between Peru and Mexico happened in November 2024, triggered by Mexico granting political asylum to Peru's former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez. She faces charges for involvement in the December 2022 coup attempt led by then-President Pedro Castillo. Peruvian President José Jerí stated on X that Mexico's chargé d'affaires, Karla Ornela, must leave the country. Mexico responded by calling the measure "excessive and disproportionate," upholding the asylum as a legitimate act in line with international law.
Mexico's tradition of sheltering those facing political persecution includes cases like asylum for former Bolivian President Evo Morales and former Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas. Tensions between the nations intensified after Castillo's ouster in December 2022, when then-Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador granted asylum to the ex-leader's wife and children. Since then, Mexico has not recognized Peruvian authorities, resulting in the mutual withdrawal of ambassadors, though bilateral trade continues.
This is not the first time Brazil has served as an intermediary. In August 2024, the Lula administration assumed representation for Peru and Argentina in Venezuela amid regional crises. Argentine President Javier Milei publicly thanked: "I immensely appreciate Brazil's willingness to assume custody of the Argentine embassy in Venezuela. The ties of friendship uniting Argentina and Brazil are very strong and historic." However, on January 8, 2026, Brazil notified Argentina and Venezuela that it would relinquish these roles, following internal discussions at the Itamaraty and with Lula's approval, coinciding with the fall of Nicolás Maduro's regime.
