LIMA, Peru (AP) — Uruguay has rejected an asylum request by former President Alan Garcia, who sought protection in the country's consulate after a judge retained his passport as part of a corruption probe.

Peru's Foreign Minister Nestor Popolizio says that Garcia has already left the Uruguayan consulate in Lima and there are reports of a silver-colored sedan leaving the diplomatic post earlier Monday.

In denying Garcia's asylum claim, Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez said there was no evidence to support Garcia's claim that he was being targeted politically

Garcia fled to Uruguay's consulate a little more than two weeks ago following a judge's order he be banned from leaving the country for 18 months as investigators probe allegations he received illegal payment from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.