Speaking as she departed a public event in Lima, Fujimori said there was “every intention” on her part to rebuild ties between the two countries, though she did not outline a timetable or specify the steps her government would take after assuming office.

Fujimori won Peru’s presidential runoff on June 7 and is due to be sworn in on July 28, succeeding interim President Jose Maria Balcazar. She will serve a five-year term ending in 2031.

Relations between Lima and Mexico City broke down after Mexico granted political asylum to former Peruvian Prime Minister Betssy Chavez, who was facing trial over allegations that she helped support an attempted coup in 2022.

The diplomatic dispute followed a broader deterioration in bilateral relations triggered by the removal of former President Pedro Castillo from office in December 2022 after he attempted to dissolve Congress and govern by decree to avert an impeachment vote.

Castillo was arrested after his removal and has remained in custody in a special prison for former heads of state at a police facility east of Lima. In November, he was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Wednesday that she had not yet spoken with Fujimori regarding bilateral relations.

“We are going to wait,” Sheinbaum told reporters when asked about the incoming Peruvian president.

She defended Mexico’s earlier position on Castillo’s detention, saying Peru had severed diplomatic ties because Mexico maintained that the former president was being held illegally.

“They broke off relations. Why? Because we said that (former) president Castillo is being held illegally. That is our point of view,” Sheinbaum said.

The diplomatic dispute deepened after Mexico granted asylum to Castillo’s wife and children, prompting Peru to expel Mexico’s ambassador.

Castillo’s successor, Dina Boluarte, also temporarily recalled Peru’s ambassador to Mexico City, accusing the Mexican government of interfering in Peru’s internal affairs.

Fujimori’s remarks suggest her administration may seek to reopen diplomatic channels with one of Peru’s key regional partners after months of strained relations, although neither side has announced formal negotiations to restore full diplomatic ties.