Peru's new government plans to join the "Shield of the Americas", the anti-narcotics alliance led by US President Donald Trump, President Keiko Fujimori confirmed on Saturday.
Foreign Minister Carlos Espa said Peru will deepen ties with the United States, calling it a "strategic partner, ally and friend." Fujimori spoke by phone on Thursday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead of the announcement. Argentina, Chile, Panama and Costa Rica have already joined the initiative, launched at a Trump-convened summit in Florida in March.
Fujimori was sworn in on Tuesday after narrowly defeating left-wing rival Roberto Sanchez in June's run-off, becoming Peru's ninth president in a decade. The government also plans to restore diplomatic ties with Mexico and Colombia and take initial steps toward rebuilding relations with Venezuela. Colombia's president-elect Abelardo de la Espriella has also signalled intent to join the alliance after his August 7 inauguration. Homicides in Peru rose 2.6-fold between 2018 and 2025.