‘Strategic partner’: Peru’s Fujimori plans to intensify ties with the US

Peru’s newly inaugurated president indicates her government will join Trump’s Shield of the Americas coalition.Peru plans to deepen its relations with the United States, which it sees as a “strategic partner”, according to newly appointed Foreign Minister Carlos Espa.In remarks on Friday, he explained that Peru will also work to restore diplomatic ties with Mexico and Colombia and take initial steps to rebuild relations with Venezuela.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez concedes Peru vote to Keiko Fujimorilist 2 of 4At least 14 dead after minibus rolls off mountain road in Perulist 3 of 4Keiko Fujimori sworn in as Peru president after narrow election winlist 4 of 4Protests in Lima as Keiko Fujimori sworn in as Peru presidentend of listEspa was named Peru’s top diplomat this week as part of President Keiko Fujimori‘s conservative cabinet. He spent years working at the US embassy in Lima as a communications director, a background that has fuelled expectations of a foreign policy more closely aligned with Washington.Fujimori was sworn in on Tuesday after narrowly winning an election dominated by voters’ fears over soaring crime.A former first lady, she has signalled she plans to strengthen cooperation with the US, noting her government will dedicate “very significant space” for collaboration with President Donald Trump’s administration.Washington has mounted its most assertive push in years to shore up its influence in Peru, a major copper producer that has become a key strategic partner for China.The Trump administration has sought to counter Beijing’s growing influence in Latin America and aggressively confront criminal networks in the region, framing both as major national security concerns.Under Trump, the US has also embraced an updated version of the Monroe Doctrine — dubbed the “Donroe Doctrine” — which would establish the Western Hemisphere as a US sphere of influence.The Trump administration has also invited right-wing governments to join the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, also known as the Shield of the Americas, which is dedicated to coordinating military campaigns against cartels and other criminal organisations.