The
President of the Republic, Keiko Fujimori, announced on Thursday the incorporation of Peru into the Shield of the Americas.
"Joining the Shield of the Americas will allow us to do many things, including obtaining information more swiftly. Peru confronted the Shining Path and the MRTA, two terrorist groups, and managed to defeat them; but they operated within Peruvian territory," Fujimori stated.
"Today, organized crime does not recognize borders, and that is why this mechanism will be of great help," she pointed out during the official joint statement alongside the U.S. senior official.
The Head of State underscored the need to strengthen the response to transnational organized crime and citizen insecurity.
"Being part of the Shield of the Americas will allow us to obtain information more swiftly and take firmer action. From Peru, we will act with all the powers granted to us by law and the Constitution," she emphasized.
Subsequently, Peru's top official highlighted the measures being promoted by her Government to strengthen the legal framework and the actions of institutions against criminal gangs, which will be complemented by the Shield of the Americas.
"In the request for powers that the Prime Minister has submitted to Congress, we have asked for these criminal groups to be declared hostile groups and terrorist groups. This mechanism will be fundamental," Fujimori indicated.
"We also want to better coordinate and strengthen the justice administration system to confront these criminal gangs with determination," she added.
Respect for Peru's sovereignty
In turn, the U.S. Secretary of State highlighted that the Shield of the Americas will allow participating countries to coordinate their capabilities against organizations that operate transnationally.
"The reason we have the Shield is because we do not want to act unilaterally. We want to act jointly with countries. These are terrorist groups. Do not be mistaken. These are not criminals who rob a bank. These are terrorist groups that extort the people," Rubio stated.
The U.S. senior official emphasized that these organizations must be confronted firmly and highlighted President Fujimori's political decision to fight them since the beginning of her administration.
"The only way to defeat this threat is to confront it firmly. That is why we are very pleased that you were elected and that the people chose you with the promise of tackling this problem. You are doing so, and we will help you in every way possible," he said.
Precisely, the Secretary of State stated that the United States will provide whatever assistance the Peruvian Government requires to combat criminal organizations, always within the national legal framework.
"These groups must be confronted and defeated. And when we see a president who was elected with that promise and is fulfilling it, we will help her in every way possible because it is also in our interest to work with you to confront these organizations," he pointed out.
However, Rubio said that any U.S. support for Peru will be provided with full respect for its sovereignty, laws, and democratic institutions.
"This is a sovereign country. You have laws, you have a process, it is a democracy, you have a system of government; you have to comply with it, and you will comply with it," he expressed.
On this issue, President Fujimori clarified that the entry of foreign troops into national territory will continue to be subject to the mechanisms established by the Constitution and the corresponding authorization from Congress.
"Every time troops enter our country, special authorization is requested from Congress. And, of course, this will remain in place. Peru's sovereignty remains intact. What we are going to restore here is order, calm, and peace for all Peruvians," she emphasized.
El Niño phenomenon
During the meeting, the Head of State discussed with the U.S. Secretary of State the actions the Government has been carrying out to prepare for El Niño phenomenon and highlighted U.S. assistance.
The top official recalled that desilting and waterway-clearing work began in early August as part of the measures adopted in response to possible emergencies.
"We were also able to discuss the challenge Peru faces from El Niño phenomenon. We told Secretary Rubio that the arrival of this weather phenomenon was announced in February, but unfortunately, the previous Government did not take the actions it should have, but we began the work in August," she indicated.
In this context, the President highlighted a new cooperation action aimed at strengthening response capacity in northern Peru in the event of possible impacts from the weather phenomenon.
"We are thankful that in February 2027, the hospital ship USNS Comfort will arrive on Peru's northern coast. This is one of the largest hospital ships in the world, with more than 1,000 beds and high-tech medical equipment. This will provide great relief to the population in northern Peru," she highlighted.
Subsequently, the Head of State thanked the North American country for the actions and assistance to be provided by the U.S. Southern Command, as well as the support Peru is already receiving from the FBI, the DEA, and other federal agencies.
New era in relations
During their statements, both officials highlighted more than 200 years of relations between Peru and the United States.
Similarly, they agreed on the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation in security, trade, investment, and other areas of common interest.
The Secretary of State noted the historic relationship between the two nations and said there is still ample room to continue working together to address new challenges.
Rubio mentioned that the current U.S. administration has decided to give greater political priority to Latin America and the hemisphere due to the direct impact that events in the region have on his country.
"The strategy speaks very openly about giving priority to the hemisphere. Why? Because we are part of the hemisphere. What happens in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean has a direct impact on the United States," he explained.
The U.S. senior official also stressed the close human, economic, and trade ties between both nations and assured that this greater attention to the region will translate into concrete actions.
Moreover, the Secretary of State highlighted the work carried out between the two administrations during the first weeks of the current Government.
"I want to thank President (Keiko) Fujimori for receiving us today. I firmly believe that we are entering a new era, a golden era in our relations, because our administration and that of Keiko Fujimori, in the first 40 days, have been working very hard," Rubio expressed.
In turn, President Fujimori indicated that Secretary Rubio's visit, the agreements reached, and cooperation between the two governments mark the beginning of a new stage in the bilateral relationship.
"Today, with Secretary Rubio's presence, the agreements signed in recent days, and the direct cooperation we are receiving, which will be reciprocal, we are beginning a new era in relations between Peru and the United States," she emphasized.
Finally, the Head of State stressed that Peru will continue maintaining and expanding its economic and trade exchanges with different international markets.
"Peru is part of APEC, the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum; the United States is as well. Peru has significant production of minerals, fishery goods, and agricultural products, and will continue its efforts to engage in trade with different countries in Asia, the Pacific, and Europe, of course," she concluded.
(END) NDP/MVB
Published: 9/10/2026