Top ministers quit after Peru’s president postpones F-16 fighter jet deal | Government News
Two Ministers Resign in Peru Over F-16 Jet Purchase Delay
LIMA, Peru — Two cabinet-level ministers in Peru have resigned following interim President Jose Maria Balcazar’s decision to postpone a proposed $3.5 billion purchase of F-16 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. Defense Minister Carlos Diaz and Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela submitted their resignation letters on Wednesday, expressing their disagreement with the strategic decision regarding national security.
In his letter, Diaz noted a “fundamental disagreement” with the decision to defer the buy, which has stirred controversy in Peru amid concerns it may signify undue influence from the U.S. government, particularly during the Trump administration.
Balcazar, who has been in office since February following a series of presidential impeachments, indicated last week that the next elected leader should ultimately decide whether to proceed with the acquisition of 24 fighter jets. His administration had recently canceled a signing ceremony intended for the deal, stating that it would be “poor practice for a transitional government” to commit such a significant amount of money without the involvement of a future administration.
The U.S. ambassador to Peru, Bernie Navarro, responded to the announcement on social media, warning against undermining U.S. interests. “If you deal with the U.S. in bad faith… I will use every available tool to protect and promote the prosperity and security of the United States and our region,” Navarro stated.
Critics of the F-16 deal have pointed to competitive offers from French firm Dassault Aviation and Swedish company Saab AB. However, Navarro defended the U.S. bid as “highly competitive” and characterized the fighter jets as “the most technically advanced ever built.”
He further criticized Balcazar’s delay in the decision, stating that any postponement could lead to significant costs and logistical complications.
The original decision to purchase the F-16s was made in 2024 under former President Dina Boluarte and planned to be funded through domestic borrowing. However, Boluarte was removed from office in October, and her successor, Jose Jeri, was impeached just four months later.
Peru is currently facing political instability, with an election scheduled for June. The country has been urged by the Trump administration to distance itself from Chinese investments, including ownership of the Pacific port of Chancay.
As Peru navigates these challenges, the final results of the latest presidential election are still pending. Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori is expected to advance to a runoff. The race’s outcome remains uncertain as left-wing Congress member Roberto Sanchez currently leads in the race for second place, closely followed by far-right candidate Rafael Lopez Aliaga. The final tally for the election is expected in May, aligning with the country’s independence day celebrations on July 28.
