Peru moves to join Trump’s anti-cartel alliance

Peru is moving to join the "Shield of the Americas," a US-led initiative aimed at combating transnational criminal organizations. The announcement came just days after Keiko Fujimori, Peru's newly inaugurated conservative president, took office on Tuesday.

Fujimori, who won the election on a promise to tackle rising security concerns, had signaled her intention to join the alliance before her inauguration. The "Shield of the Americas" comprises pro-US administrations across Latin America, including Argentina, Ecuador, and El Salvador. Its core function is to facilitate information exchange and coordinate judicial and security forces among member nations to counter criminal activity that crosses borders.

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We will continue the progress achieved with… our incorporation into the Shield of the Americas.

Foreign Minister Carlos Espa stated Friday at an event in Lima that Peru would "continue the progress achieved with... our incorporation into the Shield of the Americas." He emphasized a commitment to "deepen our excellent relations with the United States, a strategic partner, ally and friend." Espa also outlined plans to enhance cooperation with neighboring countries to combat crime, noting the significant presence of international drug trafficking gangs in Peru, a major global producer of cocaine.

Neighboring Colombia is also expected to join the initiative. President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella, who leads a hard-right government, announced earlier this month that Colombia would join Trump's alliance once he takes office in August.

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We will deepen our excellent relations with the United States, a strategic partner, ally and friend.