Mexican president says Peruvian leader sought refuge in Mexico before his arrest

By Jorge Antonio Rocha

MEXICO CITY (AA) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador revealed Thursday that ex-Peruvian President Pedro Castillo requested asylum from the Mexican government before his arrest.

"He called the office here so that they would inform me that he was going to the embassy, but surely they had already tapped his phone. He was going to request asylum," Lopez Obrador said at a news conference.

Castillo was deposed as president Dec, 7 by Congress following his attempt to dissolve parliament.

He was arrested shortly after under rebellion charges.

Citing unrelenting racism against Castillo, Lopez Obrador pledged his support to the once rural teacher who was forcibly removed from the presidency after 17 months in power, following three attempts by Congress to oust him.

"We regret very much what happened because since he won legally and legitimately, Pedro Castillo was a victim of harassment, of confrontation. His adversaries, especially the economic and political elites of that country, did not accept that he would govern," said Lopez Obrador.

Knowing that Lopez Obrador had offered refuge and protection before, as with Bolivian President Evo Morales after his military ouster in November 2019, demonstrators in Mexico blocked the entrance to the Peruvian Embassy, demanding the Mexican government deny entry to Castillo.

Protesters blocked the entrance with cars after Castillo dissolved Congress and announced an emergency government.

"It is very unfortunate that he was always harassed. They were weakening him until they managed to remove him from office. But it is the decision these elites made. I do not think it is the best for the people. I am very sorry for the people of Peru. It is a lot of instability -- five presidents in six years. Who suffers? The people. All for the interests of the elites" added Lopez Obrador.

The Peruvian Congress has deposed six presidents in the last four years.

​​​​​​​Castillo's Vice President, Dina Boluarte, was sworn in as president following Castillo's removal.

But Lopez Obrador has not recognized her presidency.