US EditionPeru's defense and foreign ministers resign after the president stalls US military planes deal
The ministers quit after Balcazar said the next government should decide on the purchase, deepening confusion over a deal already hit by a $462 million payment.
- On Wednesday, Peruvian Defense Minister Carlos Diaz and Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela resigned in protest after interim President Jose Maria Balcazar stalled a $3.5 billion deal to purchase 24 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets.
- Interim President Balcazar canceled a signing ceremony last Friday, citing concerns about binding the next government to a major defense commitment before he leaves office in July.
- Despite the president's opposition, officials signed contracts on Monday, with de Zela claiming the delay "endangers our country and undermines its credibility" in a negotiation process.
- U.S. Ambassador Bernie Navarro warned that Washington would use "all available tools" against any party that negotiates "in bad faith" with the United States.
- The procurement has become entangled in a chaotic election period, with the country awaiting a June runoff to determine who will face frontrunner Keiko Fujimori for the presidency.
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Peru has signed the purchase of US fighter jets. The interim president wants to leave the decision to his successor and thus triggers a government crisis.
The president of the Congress of Peru, Fernando Rospigliosi, confirmed this Wednesday that Parliament will proceed with the process of the motion of censure promoted against President José María Balcázar just two months after taking office. The initiative was presented by Congressman Ilich López to force the dismissal of Balcázar, after the decision to paralyze the acquisition of F-16 fighter planes provoked the resignation of the defense minist…
In Peru, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence resigned.
The president of the Peruvian Congress assured that the Ministry of Economy will execute the first payment agreed for the purchase of F-16 Block 70 aircraft from the United States despite the fact that the interim president, José María Balcázar, had decided to postpone the acquisition. Through his social networks, Fujimorista Fernando Rospigliosi indicated that the Executive “is making the payment committed today in the two contracts that were s…
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