Congress on Thursday approved Draft Legislative Resolution No. 6672, which allows for an agreement between Peru and the United States so as to implement a covenant aimed at combating the misuse, production, and illegal trafficking of drugs, through aerial interception with related assistance from the North American country.
The legislative resolution was approved with 73 votes in favor, 30 against, and 4 abstentions at the plenary session presided over by Parliament Chairman Alejandro Soto.
Congress' Foreign Affairs Commission Chairman Alejandro Aguinaga argued that this initiative relies on technical reports from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Defense, as well as the Public Ministry and the National Commission for Development and Life without Drugs (Devida).
"From 2001 to date, the Air Force has not carried out aerial interception or (aircraft) downing operations because the operations conducted along with the United States had ceased," Aguinaga explained.
"You will remember that this has been the most successful program in the fight against drugs, because Peru managed to reduce drug trafficking by cutting this air bridge," he added.
The legislator recalled that in 2001 a missionary plane was shot down, which led to the discontinuation of both assistance and the interdiction of airlift flights transporting cocaine.
"It (the initiative) will promote the strengthening of international relations between both countries in the fight against illicit drug trafficking," Aguinaga said after underscoring that this agreement is convenient for the Peruvian State's interests.
He added that it is imperative to count on its approval, ratification, and entry into force.
The agreement seeks to interrupt the airlift by suspicious aircraft linked to illicit drug trafficking, cease the expansion of illicit coca crops, as well as mitigate the social, economic, and environmental damage that threatens the security of territories and the most vulnerable population's well-being.