By Jorge Antonio Rocha
MEXICO CITY (AA) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Friday that he will not hand over the presidency of the Pacific Alliance to Peruvian President Dina Boluarte since he considers her government illegitimate.
Lopez Obrador intended to hand over the leadership of the international body composed of Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and Peru to former President Pedro Castillo in November. However, the plans were scrapped following Castillo's overthrow.
During his morning press conference, Lopez Obrador said he would leave the "Rio Group" – a Latin American multinational council - to decide on the matter.
"I do not want to hand over [the Presidency] to a government that I consider spurious, to be decided by the members of the Rio group. I do not want to legitimize a coup. We cannot do it, it is contrary to freedom, to human rights, and it is antidemocratic," said Lopez Obrador.
Since Castillo's impeachment on Dec. 7, Lopez Obrador has denounced Boluarte's presidency, whom he has criticized for allegedly stepping into office through undemocratic means while refusing to recognize her as the legitimate successor to Castillo.
According to Lopez Obrador, the political and social unrest that saw Boluarte rise into power was instigated to serve the interests of Peru's economic and political elites.
"It was an illegal, arbitrary, undemocratic act. The will of the people of Peru was not respected," he said.
The president's criticisms and steadfast support towards Castillo earned him the disavowal of the current Peruvian government.
Following Castillo's ouster, the Mexican government offered him political asylum, while authorities soon arrested the deposed Peruvian leader under charges of rebellion. Castillo's family was granted safe passage and refuge in Mexico, where they have resided since late December.
The Mexican government's action was denounced as an act of intervention by the de facto administration, prompting the Peruvian government to expel the Mexican ambassador to Peru, Pablo Monroy, labeling him "persona non-grata."
Mexico is not the only country that Boluarte's government has diplomatically antagonized. Recently, the Peruvian congress has moved to deny entry to the country to Colombian President Gustavo Petro. In addition, Bolivia's ex-President, Evo Morales, has been prohibited from entering Peru.
According to reports, the social turmoil scourging Peru for the past two months has resulted in the death of 60 civilians and 1,200 injured.