The government of Peru announced on Wednesday the "
definitive withdrawal
" of its ambassador to Colombia, accusing Bogota of interference in its internal affairs, a month after recalling its ambassador to Mexico for the same reasons.
This measure follows "
interference and offensive remarks by President
Gustavo Petro
" concerning the political crisis that Peru is going through after the dismissal and imprisonment in December of leftist President Pedro Castillo, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
These remarks "
seriously deteriorated the historical relationship of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect that existed between Peru and Colombia
", adds this press release.
Peru maintains diplomatic relations with Colombia at the charge d'affaires level, the ministry said.
Public support for Pedro Castillo
The government of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte recalled its ambassador to Bogota, Felix Denegri, to consultations last December.
Former President Pedro Castillo, accused of having attempted a coup d'etat by wanting to dissolve the Parliament which was preparing to oust him from power in December, is currently in pre-trial detention.
His dismissal and his replacement by his former vice-president Dina Boluarte had set the country ablaze.
His supporters, poor peasants from the south of the country with indigenous origins like him, demonstrated for weeks, blocking roads and airports.
The clashes left 54 dead.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro had publicly expressed his support for Pedro Castillo, like him from the ranks of the left.
Peru had already recalled its ambassador to Mexico on February 25, after criticism by Mexican President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador against the arrest of Mr. Castillo.