标签： South America

In a significant diplomatic escalation, Peru’s Congress has officially declared Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as ‘persona non grata,’ effectively barring her from entering the country. This decision follows Peru’s recent severance of diplomatic ties with Mexico, triggered by Mexico’s decision to grant asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez. Chávez faces charges related to her alleged involvement in a 2022 coup attempt led by ousted President Pedro Castillo, who sought to dissolve Peru’s Congress. She has since taken refuge in the Mexican embassy in Lima. Mexico has defended its actions, asserting that the asylum offer complies with international law and rejecting Peru’s characterization of the move as ‘unfriendly.’ The Peruvian Congress passed the declaration with a 63-33 vote, further straining relations between the two Latin American nations. During the proceedings, Peruvian legislators also accused Sheinbaum of having ties to drug trafficking, though no evidence was provided to substantiate these claims. Chávez, who was imprisoned in June 2023 and later released on bail in September, denies all charges, while prosecutors are seeking a 25-year sentence. Peruvian Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela criticized Mexico for allegedly portraying coup leaders as victims and accused Mexico of repeatedly interfering in Peru’s internal affairs. This incident marks the latest in a series of diplomatic clashes between the two countries, including the 2022 expulsion of Mexico’s ambassador after asylum was granted to Castillo’s family. Last September, Peru’s Foreign Relations Committee had already proposed declaring Sheinbaum ‘persona non grata’ for her perceived support of Castillo.

In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, Peru’s Congress declared Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum persona non grata on Thursday. This decision followed Mexico’s move to grant asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, which Peruvian officials condemned as interference in their internal affairs. The legislative vote, which passed with 63 in favor, 34 against, and two abstentions, highlighted deep divisions over Sheinbaum’s perceived support for former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo. Castillo, who was ousted in December 2022 after attempting to dissolve Congress, remains detained on charges of rebellion and conspiracy. Peru’s interim President José Jerí severed diplomatic ties with Mexico earlier this week, citing Sheinbaum’s asylum decision as a provocation. Chávez, who faces up to 25 years in prison for her alleged role in Castillo’s actions, remains in the Mexican diplomatic residence in Lima, as Peru has yet to grant her safe passage. Mexico defended its decision, stating it complied with international law and rejecting Peru’s response as excessive. Meanwhile, Peru’s Congress is considering measures to bar Chávez from holding public office, further intensifying the rift between the two nations.

The U.S. Senate convened on Thursday to deliberate on a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at restricting President Donald Trump’s capacity to initiate military action against Venezuela. This move comes amidst escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with Democrats urging Congress to assert a more robust oversight role in the high-stakes geopolitical standoff. The proposed resolution, spearheaded by Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, seeks to mandate congressional approval before any military engagement on Venezuelan soil, reflecting growing bipartisan concerns over the administration’s aggressive posture in the region. Despite its slim chances of enactment—given Trump’s likely veto—the vote serves as a litmus test for Republican senators’ willingness to challenge the president’s military buildup in the Caribbean. Lawmakers, including key Republicans, have expressed unease over the administration’s lack of transparency regarding recent U.S. naval strikes targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels. Critics argue that the deployment of advanced military assets, such as the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier, signals broader intentions beyond counter-narcotics operations, potentially hinting at regime change objectives. Senator Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, underscored the gravity of the situation, warning that unchecked military escalation could entangle the U.S. in an unwarranted conflict. The debate also highlighted broader frustrations within Congress over the Pentagon’s recent policy shifts, including reductions in U.S. troop deployments in Romania and the suspension of security aid to Ukraine. As the Trump administration intensifies its briefings to lawmakers, the Senate’s vote underscores the enduring tension between executive authority and congressional oversight in matters of war and peace.

LA PAZ, Bolivia — In a landmark decision, Bolivia’s Supreme Court of Justice annulled the 10-year prison sentence of former interim president Jeanine Áñez, leading to her release from Miraflores women’s prison on Thursday. Áñez, who had been incarcerated for over four years, expressed profound relief as she emerged, waving a Bolivian flag and greeted by jubilant supporters chanting, “Yes, we could.”

Áñez’s imprisonment stemmed from her controversial assumption of the presidency in 2019, following the resignation of then-president Evo Morales amid widespread protests and allegations of electoral fraud. The 2019 crisis, which resulted in 37 deaths, was marked by accusations that Morales had secured an unconstitutional fourth term, as denounced by the Organization of American States.

The Supreme Court’s ruling emphasized that Áñez’s actions were driven by a “state of constitutional necessity” aimed at preserving Bolivia’s institutional stability. This decision effectively closed the debate over whether her ascension constituted a coup, as claimed by Morales’ supporters.

The timing of the ruling is significant, coming just three days before the inauguration of President-elect Rodrigo Paz, whose historic victory on October 19 ended nearly two decades of political dominance by Morales’ leftist Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party. Paz extended an invitation to Áñez to attend his inauguration, with her daughter indicating she might accept.

Áñez, who has faced multiple accusations but no pending cases in ordinary courts, has seen two other convictions annulled in August related to the deaths of 20 protesters during the 2019 crisis. Following the latest presidential elections, the court also reviewed the pretrial detention of Áñez and two other opposition leaders, releasing them from prison and placing them under house arrest.

“The monster had to go for it to be acknowledged that there was not a coup in this country, but rather an electoral fraud,” Áñez declared, reaffirming her commitment to serving Bolivia during its time of need.

In a high-level briefing on Wednesday, top Trump administration officials provided congressional leaders with insights into the escalating military campaign targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels in South American waters. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with a bipartisan group of lawmakers in a secure Capitol facility, outlining the legal rationale and strategic framework behind the operation, which has resulted in at least 66 deaths across 16 strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. While Republicans largely expressed confidence in President Donald Trump’s initiative, Democrats raised concerns over the lack of transparency and legal justification, arguing that the strikes may violate international and U.S. law. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called for a broader briefing, stating, ‘What we heard isn’t enough. We need a lot more answers.’ The briefing preceded a Senate vote on a resolution requiring congressional approval for any direct strikes on Venezuela. Critics argue that the administration has bypassed Congress by classifying drug cartel members as ‘unlawful combatants’ akin to terrorists, justifying lethal action without legislative oversight. Meanwhile, the U.S. military’s naval buildup in the region has fueled speculation of a potential invasion of Venezuela, aimed at ousting President Nicolás Maduro, who faces narcoterrorism charges in the U.S. Lawmakers reviewed a 40-page classified legal opinion from the Justice Department, but Democrats like Sen. Tim Kaine criticized it as flawed, particularly for its lack of specific rationale regarding Venezuela. The debate underscores growing tensions between Congress and the administration over war powers and the broader strategy in South America.