Peru Joins U.S.-led Counter Cartel Coalition

On Thursday, Keiko Fujimori, the conservative president of Peru, announced that her country will soon become a member of the U.S.-backed Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, commonly referred to as the Shield of the Americas.

Fujimori made this announcement during a press conference held with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is visiting Peru as part of a broader tour that also included Colombia and Ecuador.

“As the president of the Republic of Peru, I am pleased to share that Peru will join the Shield of the Americas — a coalition of over 15 nations led by the United States,” Fujimori stated.

She expressed gratitude to Secretary Rubio, noting how the country has faced significant challenges from terrorism and criminal organizations that disregard borders. Fujimori emphasized the need for collaboration with other nations, stating that joining the coalition would help Peru access critical information more quickly and respond more effectively.

The Americas Counter Cartel Coalition was initiated by President Donald Trump in early March. Its purpose is to address the threats posed by transnational drug cartels in the region, curb illegal immigration throughout the Americas, and combat foreign geopolitical influences.

Since its inception, more than a dozen Latin American and Caribbean countries have joined the coalition. Recently, nations like Chile and Colombia have also signed on, with Peru being the latest addition.

In her remarks, Fujimori noted that she and Secretary Rubio discussed the upcoming challenges that Peru will face due to the El Niño weather phenomenon. She touched on the efforts her administration has made in preparation for these recurring weather patterns and thanked the United States for the ongoing support, particularly from U.S. Ambassador to Peru, Bernie Navarro.

“We are grateful that in February 2027, a Comfort American ship will come to the coast of Peru. This vessel, among the largest hospital ships globally, is equipped with over 1,000 beds and advanced technology, which will benefit residents in the northern part of the country,” Fujimori mentioned.

She also expressed appreciation for assistance from the Southern Command and the ongoing support from agencies like the DEA and the FBI. Fujimori highlighted discussions on various topics, including education, infrastructure investment, and trade relations.

Furthermore, Fujimori acknowledged President Trump’s focus on Latin America and commended Rubio’s visit as a sign of the U.S. commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, referencing nearly 200 years of friendship between the two nations. She noted that past administrations often overlooked the significance of this region.

In his comments, Secretary Rubio expressed optimism about a “very special” era in U.S.-Peru relations, emphasizing mutual benefits already evident during Fujimori’s first 40 days in office, which began in late July. He mentioned his satisfaction with Peru’s decision to join the Shield of the Americas, as a way to confront threats posed by criminal organizations.

Rubio also pointed out the cons of criminal gangs having access to greater financial resources and military equipment than some national forces. This underscores the necessity of the coalition, which currently includes 14 nations, with hopes of expanding further to tackle these issues effectively.

Before arriving in Peru, Rubio published an opinion piece that was locally distributed in Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, titled “A hemisphere that delivers.” In the article, he critiqued projects backed by the Chinese Communist Party that bypass Peru’s legal standards and pose risks to transparency and data security, contrasting this with U.S. investments that maintain local ownership while safeguarding regional interests.

These comments reportedly angered the Chinese government, leading to a lengthy response from the Chinese embassy in Lima, which rebutted Rubio’s claims. When asked for his thoughts on the Chinese reaction, Rubio replied, “I’m not here to talk about what the Chinese embassy said.”