Sheinbaum downplays the drama of the Peruvian attempt: “It’s not that big of a deal”
It seems that President Claudia Sheinbaum has the ‘zen’ mode activated, because the news that a group of congressmen in Peru wants to declare her persona non grata slipped off her like water on a raincoat. In her already famous morning conference this Tuesday, from the National Palace, the Mexican president seemed calmer than us on a Sunday afternoon watching memes.
The origin of this international political soap opera drama has to do with its public support for Pedro Castillo, the former Peruvian president who is currently behind bars accused of attempting a self-coup d’état at the end of 2022. While Lima is scandalized, Sheinbaum is clearer than the TikTok algorithm: for her, what Castillo experienced was a textbook coup d’état and so she has manifested, with all the irony and self-confidence that characterizes Mexican politics.
Mexico’s position: firm and without complexes
With a calm that makes us wonder if he has a secret to managing hate on networks, Sheinbaum clarified that showing solidarity with Castillo “is not an attack.” In fact, he received his lawyer, Guido Croxatto, here and gave him his support. Basically, the message is: “I’m sorry, but I’m not sorry.”
And be careful, because this is not your idea. It is the continuity of the foreign policy that President López Obrador implemented. Do you remember the case of Ecuador when they invaded our embassy? Well, it’s the same line: a principled position that, whether others like it or not, Mexico is going to maintain. Sheinbaum made it clear: “We maintain the same criteria… so it doesn’t matter, we are going to maintain our position.”
Millennial translation: “We are not going to change our Instagram profile because some haters don’t like the photo.”
Meanwhile, in the Peruvian Congress, things are serious. The Foreign Relations Commission approved the motion in the first instance with 12 votes in favor and 6 against. Now, the ball is in the court of the plenary session, which will have to decide whether to ratify this symbolic declaration or archive it forever in the drawer of failed international dramas.
Behind this initiative are figures such as Fujimorista congressman Ernesto Bustamante, who chairs said commission, along with fellow Fujimori member Patricia Juárez and the right-wing María del Carmen Alva. Come on, a dream team of traditional Peruvian politics that seems to have been very upset with the Mexican position.
But beyond the diplomatic scuffle, what is clear is that Mexico’s foreign policy under Morena has a very particular style: direct, blunt and with a dose of irreverence that sometimes baffles neighbors. Sheinbaum, instead of softening the tone, has adopted it as his own.
Deep down, this episode reflects the geopolitical tensions in Latin America, where progressive and conservative governments constantly measure each other. The declaration of persona non grata is, above all, a political gesture with a lot of symbolism but little practical effect. Sheinbaum is not going to be expelled from Peru nor are diplomatic relations going to be cut. It is basically the international equivalent of a massive unfollow but without blocking.
So, while the Peruvian congressmen debate, Sheinbaum continues with his agenda as if nothing had happened. A master lesson in how to handle geopolitical drama without losing your composure… or your sense of humor.
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