Peru Joins US-Led 'Shield of the Americas' Security Alliance to Combat Cartels

Peru has officially joined the "Shield of the Americas", a US-led regional security alliance aimed at sharing intelligence and cooperating in military operations against drug cartels. The move was announced on Thursday by Peru’s recently elected right-wing leader, President Keiko Fujimori, following talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Lima.

"We appreciate this opportunity [to join the initiative], because for us, having previously had to tackle terrorism, [we] know how difficult it is to confront criminality today," Fujimori stated during a news conference at the Government Palace. As part of the visit, her administration also awarded Rubio the Order of the Sun, one of Peru's highest civilian honours.

Rubio’s stop in the Peruvian capital marks the culmination of a three-day, three-country tour across South America designed to strengthen ties between US President Donald Trump and conservative allies in the region. The diplomat heavily praised Peru's decision to enter the coalition, also known as the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (ACCC).

"It is a shield against these threats to the sovereignty of these independent nations," Rubio remarked, pointing to transnational criminal groups that often possess greater financial and military resources than the state itself. President Fujimori, a former first lady and daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, assumed office in July after centering her campaign heavily on security concerns.

Peru currently stands as the world's second-largest producer of cocaine, trailing only Colombia, while experiencing a sharp rise in extortion and other criminal activities. However, increased US involvement brings controversy due to a history of past American interventions and prior support for right-wing leaders accused of human rights abuses.

Al Jazeera correspondent Teresa Bo noted that the tighter cooperation has sparked anxieties regarding potential threats to Latin American sovereignty. Despite these concerns, Rubio assured that the United States would only act with explicit permission from local authorities, stating, "We’re not going to do anything that our partners don’t ask us to do."

Outside the government house, protesters voiced their opposition to the agreement by carrying signs reading, "Marco Rubio out of Peru, no to Shield of the Americas." Demonstrators emphasized that Peru operates independently and rejects foreign dominance.

Beyond security matters, the Trump administration has sought to counter Chinese influence in nations like Peru, particularly after China surpassed the US as Peru's primary trading partner and constructed a mega-port in Chancay. Peru remains a vital strategic partner for Washington, serving as the world's third-largest producer of copper and a newly designated major non-NATO ally.