Peru: Foreign Affairs Minister expresses confidence Congress will approve powers request

Photo: ANDINA/Juan Carlos Guzmán

Photo: ANDINA/Juan Carlos Guzmán

00:00 | Lima, Aug. 1.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carlos Espa expressed confidence that Congress will approve the Executive Branch's upcoming request for legislative powers to enact laws in various areas, including the fight against crime and extortion.

"I certainly believe so," Espa responded to a reporter's question about how he believed the Chamber of Deputies will respond to the proposal the Government will soon submit.

"I am confident that there will even be many opposition lawmakers who will respond to the people's call for specific measures against crime and extortion, and that they will do so positively," he added.

After participating in the ceremony introducing him as the new Foreign Affairs Minister, Espa also reaffirmed the Peruvian Government's willingness to join the "Shield of the Americas."

The initiative, promoted by the United States, seeks to combat transnational criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking.

"Trying to fight these organizations individually, given their vast resources and power, is not effective. Hemispheric integration is essential, and we are very pleased to take part in this initiative," he stressed.

Relations with Mexico

The restoration of relations with Mexico was another issue he addressed with the press. 

Using the expression "Mexico, Beautiful and Beloved," the new Cabinet member underscored that Mexico and Peru are brotherly countries.

"We are hopeful of achieving the normalization of relations with Mexico," the minister said.

Espa also praised President Claudia Sheinbaum, describing her as "a warrior woman" and noting similarities between her and Peru's President Keiko Fujimori.

"I hope they can meet at some point," he noted.

Moreover, the current minister said the Peruvian Government will respond to the request for safe-conduct for former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez to allow her to travel to Mexico as an asylee, within the framework of the 1954 Caracas Convention.

"We are very clear about the obligations of States," he pointed out.

Finally, he described as "fair" the Constitutional Court's (TC) decision to annul the proceedings that had convicted former President Ollanta Humala and sentenced him to 15 years in prison.

"I am very pleased that Mr. Humala is free, and I express my hope that he will soon be reunited with Ms. Nadine Heredia," he concluded.

(END) RAI/CVC/MVB

Publicado: 1/8/2026