Why Peru Declares Mexico's Sheinbaum Persona Non Grata

(MENAFN- The Rio Times) On September 8, 2025, Peru's Foreign Affairs Committee voted 12–6 to declare Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata.

The move followed her criticism of Peru's political crisis and her meeting with former leader Pedro Castillo's legal team. Lawmakers saw her actions as meddling in Peru's domestic affairs.

This move follows two similar rebukes in 2023, when Peru declared President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Colombia's Gustavo Petro persona non grata over their criticisms of President Dina Boluarte's government.

Those actions froze high-level talks and forced both sides to rely on chargés d'affaires. Behind the headlines, this dispute threatens practical ties.

Mexico and Peru share a free-trade agreement from 2012, a strategic partnership since 2011, and cultural-educational accords dating back to 1975 and 1996.



Constitutional expert Franco García Lazo warns that diplomatic downgrades will slow collaboration in forums like the Pacific Alliance, where both nations hold membership.

For businesses, the warning signs already appeared in 2023 when Peru introduced visas for Mexican travelers. García Lazo notes that companies like Grupo Elektra and Grupo Bimbo could face permit delays or tougher public scrutiny.

“Diplomatic friction often filters down to the boardroom,” he says. Social media amplified the tension with a mix of serious debate and satirical memes.

Users on X framed the vote as a defense of national sovereignty, while Instagram and TikTok users mocked the feud with ceviche-themed jokes.

This episode shows how a single social-media post can escalate into a diplomatic challenge. Observers should watch for delays in trade negotiations and joint projects.

As Peru's president serves until mid-2026, this spat may shape regional cooperation and investment flows for years to come.

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