Peru renews arrest order for ex-PM Betssy Chávez; accused of conspiracy

LIMA: A Peruvian Supreme Court judge has renewed an arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who is accused of conspiracy in the 2022 failed coup attempt by ex-President Pedro Castillo.

Supreme Judge Juan Carlos Checkley issued the order to locate and capture Chávez to enforce a December 4, 2025, sentence by the Special Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court. The court found her guilty as a co-author of conspiracy to commit rebellion against the Peruvian state, sentencing her to 11 years and 5 months in prison.

The judicial resolution, issued on August 14, came a week after Chávez received a safe-conduct pass allowing her to leave the Mexican Embassy in Lima and travel to Mexico. She had been residing at the embassy since November 2025 after being granted diplomatic asylum.

Checkley requested the periodic renewal of national and international arrest orders against Chávez and asked for the decision to be communicated to the Lima District Requisition Office of the National Police and Interpol Lima.

Chávez's lawyer, Raúl Noblecilla, criticized the ruling, stating that her capture is impossible due to the diplomatic asylum granted by Mexico. "You can renew warrants as many times as you want, Mr. Checkley, but you cannot renew the crude lie that Peruvian jurisdiction is above Mexico's sovereignty and International Law," he stated.

Meanwhile, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the resumption of diplomatic relations with Peru after the government of President Keiko Fujimori granted Chávez the safe-conduct. Sheinbaum described the decision as an "act of goodwill" towards Mexico, which had previously broken ties with Peru over the asylum granted to Chávez.

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You can renew warrants as many times as you want, Mr. Checkley, but you cannot renew the crude lie that Peruvian jurisdiction is above Mexico's sovereignty and International Law.