The day
Peru’s deposed head of state is said to have asked for asylum
12/08/2022, 6:45 p.m
Shortly before his arrest, Peru’s deposed President Pedro Castillo is said to have tried to Mexico to get asylum. “He called the office here and asked them to tell me he was on his way to the embassy,” says Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Although his government was willing to grant him asylum, Castillo was unable to reach the Mexican diplomatic mission in the Peruvian capital Lima. López Obrador goes on to say that he even instructed Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard to open the embassy door for Castillo. Ebrard previously said Castillo had not contacted Mexico to seek protection.
Castillo tried yesterday to dissolve Congressto forestall a vote of no confidence in Parliament. Numerous members of his government and the opposition spoke of a coup d’état. Parliament eventually removed him from office. Castillo was arrested. The public prosecutor accuses him of rebellion.