Ousted Peruvian president’s lawyer delivers letter to Mexico's leader

By Jorge Antonio Rocha

MEXICO CITY (AA) - The lawyer for Peru’s ousted President Pedro Castillo delivered a letter on his behalf Monday to Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in which Castillo thanked him for his support following his impeachment and arrest last year on charges of rebellion and conspiracy.

Argentine lawyer Guido Leonardo Croxatto delivered the letter, in which Castillo expressed his gratitude to Lopez Obrador for his steadfast support amid the political and social turmoil engulfing Peru since last December.

"From this cell in which I can only resist with longing for the prompt freedom of my people, I greet you with all my strength and hope to thank you and all the Mexican people for the support to the just struggles of Peru and the permanent support to my family," said the letter, which was posted on Castillo's Twitter page.

After congress ousted Castillo on Dec. 7, Lopez Obrador promptly offered political asylum for him and his family, assuring safe passage and shelter in Mexican territory.

Although Castillo was soon arrested on rebellion and conspiracy charges, his wife and two children traveled to Mexico, where they have lived since Dec. 27.

Lopez Obrador has been ironclad in his criticism of Castillo's removal and Vice President Dina Boluarte's swearing-in as the country’s first female head of state, which he has accused of being illegitimate and undemocratic, accusing Boluarte of being a "puppet" of Peru's political and economic elite.

The Mexican leader has also slammed Boluarte's use of violence to bring order to the South American country following mass protests demanding her resignation which left 69 dead.

"My freedom is secondary. The true freedom that should be supported, dear brother President, is that of our people, today repressed and with dozens of compatriots shot dead. Their mothers mourn them without being heard. There is no justice," said Castillo in his letter.

In his letter, Castillo announced to his Mexican counterpart that Croxatto will be handling his defense.

Peru's Supreme Court of Justice has ruled preventive detention for the 53-year-old former president. Castillo is currently being held in Barbadillo Prison in Lima.

"A big hug, my brother President. Peru will never forget that Mexico was the first country to support us from the beginning," wrote Castillo.

Lopez Obrador continues to reject Boluarte's government and denounce Castillo's impeachment, which he has called "illegal," saying that the former president is "unjustly in prison suffering from the classism and racism that prevails, sadly, in Peru."