Peru’s abstention on Palestinian participation at UN draws domestic criticism
Politicians and analysts say Lima is moving away from its traditional balanced position on the Palestinian issue.
Peru’s abstention in a UN General Assembly vote concerning Palestinian participation has prompted criticism from a senator, analysts and a former presidential adviser. They accused Lima of moving away from its traditional balanced position on Palestine and aligning more closely with the United States and Israel. The resolution passed with 152 votes in favor, three against and four abstentions and would allow Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to participate virtually in the UN General Assembly session.
TEHRAN — Peru’s decision to abstain from a United Nations General Assembly vote on Palestinian participation has drawn criticism from politicians and international affairs analysts, who said the position marked a departure from Lima’s traditional diplomatic stance.
According to Prensa Latina, Peruvian Senator Mirtha Chávez described the abstention as “shameful,” noting that 152 countries voted in favor of the measure. Peru abstained alongside Panama, Honduras and Colombia, while the United States, Israel and Paraguay voted against it.
Chávez said Peru had distanced itself from the overwhelming majority of the international community and from its previous diplomatic positions on Palestine. She also criticized the country’s foreign-policy direction and said Foreign Minister Carlos Espá should face a vote of no confidence over the position.
Peruvian international affairs analysts Francisco Belaúnde and Óscar Vidarte also questioned the vote. Belaúnde said Peru appeared to be gradually abandoning its traditional policy of adopting balanced and fair positions, while Vidarte said the country was increasingly aligning itself with other actors and described the trend as regrettable.
Julio Schiappa, a former adviser to Peru’s presidency, alleged that Espá had instructed Peru’s UN delegation to support Israel in order to prevent representatives of the Palestinian people from speaking. Schiappa said the Palestinian representative had been expected to address the UN through Zoom because traveling to New York posed security risks.
The UN General Assembly resolution was adopted on Thursday, according to the report, amid a US decision to deny visas to Palestinian officials. The measure would allow Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to participate virtually in the 81st session of the General Assembly, with world leaders able to hear his remarks through a prerecorded video.
The resolution received 152 votes in favor, three against and four abstentions. The 81st annual session of the General Assembly is scheduled to begin on Sept. 22, 2026, at the UN headquarters in New York.