Peru has announced a “definitive withdrawal” of its ambassador from Colombia amid diplomatic tensions between both countries.
The decision responds to “repetitive interventionist and offensive comments” from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who was “distorting reality by ignoring that on December 7, 2022, a coup detat took place in Peru perpetrated by former President Pedro Castillo,” Peru’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Petros “continuous interfering expressions have seriously deteriorated the historical relationship of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect that has existed between Peru and Colombia,” the statement added.
During the Ibero-American summit last week in the Dominican Republic, Petro lamented that Castillo was not present, saying he “should be here, (but) is in prison They took him out with a coup.” Perus Foreign Minister Ana Cecilia Gervasi responded during the summit, explaining that “if Pedro Castillo is not here, it is because he carried out a coup”.
The removal of Castillo, 53, sparked mass nationwide protests that have left at least 54 people dead and some 600 injured from clashes between demonstrators and security forces. The protesters demanded the resignation of Castillos successor, his former vice president Dina Boluarte, immediate elections, a new constitution and the dissolution of parliament. (QNA)
Source: Qatar News Agency