¿Betssy Chávez debe recibir un salvoconducto? Excanciller Javier González-Olaechea responde

The request for safe passage for Betssy Chávez, submitted by the legal defense of the former Prime Minister, has generated diverse opinions among specialists and former officials. Former Foreign Minister Javier González-Olaechea analyzed the request addressed to the government headed by José María Balcázar. During an interview on Buenos Días Perú, the former head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained that the former head of the Cabinet could not be considered a political prisoner. Betssy Chávez is under investigation for her alleged participation in the failed coup d'état announced by Pedro Castillo on December 7, 2022. González-Olaechea explained that the determination of whether a person is granted asylum rests with the country granting it; however, he clarified that granting safe passage is a power of the Peruvian Executive Branch and not an obligation that can be demanded of the head of state. “Let it be clear that she is not a political refugee. The Caracas Convention provides for two possibilities. The status of asylum seeker is determined by the country that grants asylum (…) It is up to the Executive Branch to grant or deny safe passage. No one can demand that the president grant safe passage,” he stated. The former foreign minister also pointed out that a potential decline in the former prime minister's health does not, in itself, constitute grounds for approving the document. He further indicated that any medical certificate presented to the authorities must be authentic and subject to rigorous evaluation. “Poor health is not a condition for granting safe passage. Reliable documents must be attached. In some cases, medical certificates are forged,” González-Olaechea declared. When asked about a possible presidential pardon for Pedro Castillo, the former minister affirmed that an opinion issued by an international body does not automatically generate the right to freedom. He explained that the decision would rest with President José María Balcázar or the next president. “There is a kind of denial on the part of the party leaders, starting with Roberto Sánchez, of not recognizing reality (…) The UN opinion is not grounds for requesting Mr. Castillo's release. They are considering granting him a presidential pardon, not a clemency, which is the responsibility of President Balcázar or Ms. Fujimori,” he stated. González-Olaechea questions Roberto Sánchez's call for a demonstration Finally, Javier González-Olaechea questioned Roberto Sánchez Palomino for calling for a mobilization on the eve of the Independence Day celebrations and maintained that Peru needs stability and order. “The country needs order. We are about to celebrate Independence Day, and Mr. Sánchez is calling for a mobilization,” he concluded. #pardon #pedrocastillo #presidency #foreignministry