Foreign Affairs Minister Hugo De Zela highlighted the agreement signed today with the European Union (EU) to deploy an Election Observation Mission in Peru for the April 12 General Elections, while reiterating his sector's commitment to guaranteeing voters' right to cast their ballots.
De Zela thanked the EU for continuing its efforts to accompany electoral processes in Peru.
Similarly, the government official indicated the document reaffirms his sector's commitment to transparency, security, and vote integrity.
The government official added that he is confident the mission arriving in the country "will carry out work that, once again, represents a valuable contribution to strengthening citizens' trust and consolidating processes in which the will of each of our fellow citizens is freely expressed."
The minister stressed that his sector makes every effort to ensure Peruvians abroad have the necessary means to exercise their voting right.
He noted that each vote is "properly safeguarded until it is in the custody of the electoral authorities."
"In this electoral process, more than 1.2 million Peruvian citizens residing abroad are eligible to exercise their right to vote. Thus, intensive work is already under way," he pointed out.
Minister De Zela once again urged this important group of voters to fulfill their civic duty in the upcoming April elections.
Furthermore, he emphasized that each citizen's vote will be an important contribution to defining Peru's future.
Invitations to Pope Leo XIV and Marco Rubio
Following the event, Minister De Zela held a press conference.
Asked about the visit that Pope Leo XIV is expected to make to Peru this year, the diplomat reiterated that no date has been set so far.
He added that the process is still at an initial stage due to the receipt of the formal invitation from President Jose Jeri to the Supreme Pontiff.
De Zela specified that Peru's Ambassador to the Holy See "has the primary task of ensuring that the Holy Father's visit takes place, as far as possible, as soon as possible," after which the corresponding preparations will begin.
Regarding the invitation for U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make an official visit to Peru, the Cabinet member said he had the opportunity to meet with him and reiterate the invitation during his recent trip to Washington, D.C.
He noted that, since the new U.S. Ambassador to Peru, Bernie Navarro, is already in the country, authorities expect to finalize all remaining details shortly in order to materialize the visit as soon as possible, in line with Navarro's remarks.
Trip to the U.S.
The minister further stressed that his office is working intensively to attract investment from the North American country, noting that such flows have shown "a lack of dynamism" in recent years.
In this regard, he noted that Peru offers multiple investment opportunities.
During his recent trip a memorandum of understanding was signed with the United States Department of State for the development of activities aimed at harnessing our critical minerals, De Zela indicated.
He stressed that the document will benefit Peru by opening up the possibility of creating value chains.
Proposal on the Caracas Convention
The minister reported that Peru's Mission to the Organization of American States (OAS) works, together with other countries, on a proposal for the Permanent Council to approve a request for consultation with the Inter-American Juridical Committee regarding the Caracas Convention's application.
Regarding the former Prime Minister, he firmly stressed that the government will not enter the diplomatic mission by force.
(END) MCA/CVC/MVB
Published: 2/9/2026