Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espá faces mounting criticism over administrative decisions, social media visibility, and diplomatic appointments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to a report published by Diario Expreso.
Diplomatic Reassignments and Appointment Scrutiny
The management of Torre Tagle has drawn scrutiny over the reassignment of career ambassador and former foreign minister Elmer Schialer. Five months after taking office as Peru’s permanent representative to international organizations based in Geneva, Schialer was transferred to the Peruvian Embassy in Colombia. Geneva hosts more than twenty specialized international agencies requiring technical continuity and expertise. In addition, Diario Expreso reported that the designation of Virginia Montes Patiño as Peru’s ambassador to Paraguay has raised questions regarding potential personal ties to the circle of U.S. Ambassador Bernie Navarro, prompting calls to clarify whether professional criteria guided the selection. The foreign ministry cannot become a club of friends or a platform to favor political appointments in strategic positions that should prioritize the career, preparation, and merits of career diplomats.
Social Media Activity and Communications Leadership
Minister Espá’s frequent presence on TikTok, including posts filmed during official international travel and in athletic wear in New York ahead of a flight back to Lima, has fueled debate regarding the institutional image of Peru’s chief diplomat. According to the same reporting, Communications Director Liliana Carrasco was dismissed immediately after raising concerns about the minister’s heavy reliance on TikTok. Furthermore, the ministry instituted a directive restricting public statements by diplomats in Lima and abroad, reserving messaging exclusively for official institutional spokespeople. Modern communication is necessary, but it must not be confused with personal promotion or compromise the sobriety of the office, and the reported dismissal of Carrasco would represent a troubling display of intolerance toward professional criticism.
Public Remarks and Border Security Operations
The foreign minister’s public engagements also drew scrutiny following remarks on a Sunday television program hosted by Milagros Leiva, where Espá reportedly stated that former President Pedro Castillo was granted asylum in Mexico while Castillo remained imprisoned in Lima. Separately, Espá’s secondary role during Grupo 8 migration activities—while the Minister of the Interior oversaw the expulsion of foreign nationals linked to transnational crime—raised questions regarding the division of governmental responsibilities. Additional debate centers on the diplomatic handling of a safe-conduct pass requested for Betssy Chávez, with critics questioning why Peru did not first pursue the elimination of visa requirements for Peruvian citizens traveling to Mexico, and whether granting the safe-conduct pass aligns with the Caracas Convention.
Institutional Concerns and Precedents
The foreign policy of Peru demands professionalism, experience, prudence, and respect for the diplomatic career, yet the administration of Chancellor Carlos Espá has sparked serious questioning for decisions that project a worrying personalization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and threaten to deteriorate the historical prestige of Torre Tagle. Such decisions and remarks risk undermining the traditional standards expected of the nation’s chief diplomat.
