Peru is moving to strengthen its relationship with the United States under newly sworn-in President Keiko Fujimori, who took office after narrowly winning a presidential election centered on public concerns about crime. Foreign Minister Carlos Espa announced on Friday that Peru views the US as a strategic partner and will pursue deeper cooperation while simultaneously seeking to restore diplomatic connections with Mexico, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Fujimori, a conservative leader and former first lady, has signaled her administration plans to dedicate substantial resources to collaborating with the Trump administration. Espa’s appointment reflects expectations of a foreign policy more closely aligned with Washington, given his background working at the US embassy in Lima. The administration plans to join the Shield of the Americas, also known as the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, as part of Fujimori’s broader strategy to address the country’s crime challenges.
The United States has intensified efforts to strengthen its influence in Peru, a major copper-producing nation that has become an important strategic partner for China. The Trump administration is seeking to counter Beijing’s expanding influence in Latin America while simultaneously targeting criminal networks in the region, both presented as national security priorities. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau attended Fujimori’s inauguration, underscoring Washington’s support for her administration.
Fujimori defeated her left-wing opponent Roberto Sanchez in June’s runoff by fewer than 50,000 votes, becoming Peru’s ninth president in a decade. Her presidency marks another transition in a nation that has experienced significant political instability, with multiple predecessors resigning or facing impeachment before completing their terms. Fujimori leads the Fuerza Popular party and has centered her political identity around her father, former President Alberto Fujimori, whose legacy includes both claims of stability and controversy surrounding allegations of authoritarian governance and human rights violations.
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