Peru renews arrest warrants for former PM Betssy Chávez

A Peruvian supreme court judge has renewed national and international arrest warrants for former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez. The decision, issued by provisional Supreme Judge Juan Carlos Checkley, aims to enforce an 11-year and 5-month prison sentence for her role in the failed coup attempt led by former President Pedro Castillo in December 2022.

Chávez was convicted as a co-author of conspiracy to commit rebellion against the Peruvian state. The judicial resolution mandates that the orders be communicated to the Lima District Requisition Office of the National Police and the Interpol Central Office in Lima to facilitate her location and capture.

Chávez is currently in Mexico under diplomatic asylum, having traveled there via a military vessel after receiving a safe-conduct pass. Her lawyer, Raúl Noblecilla, has criticized the ruling, arguing that the arrest is impossible due to her asylum status and asserting that Peruvian jurisdiction does not supersede Mexican sovereignty or international law.