Peru ministers resign over decision to delay F-16 fighter jet purchase

Two high-ranking Peruvian ministers have resigned in protest after interim President Jose Maria Balcazar decided to postpone a major agreement to purchase F-16 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin. Defence Minister Carlos Diaz and Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela formally stepped down on Wednesday, citing their fundamental disagreement with the strategic decision to delay the national security procurement. In their resignation letters, both officials expressed that the move undermined the integrity of ongoing negotiations.

The controversy centers on a $3.5 billion investment intended to equip Peru's air force with 24 jets, an initial batch of 12 of which were scheduled to replace ageing aircraft. Balcazar, who assumed office in February as the ninth president in a decade following a series of impeachments, announced last week that he would defer the final decision to the next elected administration. He argued that committing such a massive financial sum as a transitional government was poor practice, though he maintained that existing agreements with the air force ministry would be respected.

The United States reaction to the delay was swift and stern. US Ambassador to Peru, Bernie Navarro, posted a warning on social media on April 17, stating that engaging in bad faith or undermining US interests would result in the administration utilizing every available tool to protect American prosperity and regional security. Navarro further characterized the deal as already signed and described the proposed fleet as the most technically advanced fighter jets ever built. He emphasized that delays in planning the delivery of such a calibre of product are never inconsequential, noting that every postponement results in significant costs and that the full package cannot be secured within a few months or even weeks.

Despite the US position, critics within Peru have questioned the urgency of the purchase, suggesting that the nation has received competitive offers from European manufacturers such as Dassault Aviation and Saab AB. The original decision to allocate $3.5 billion for the 24 jets was made in 2024 under former President Dina Boluarte. The current situation has raised concerns about the impact of political transitions on long-term defence planning and the potential risks to communities and national security resulting from stalled infrastructure and equipment projects.

The planned acquisition was initially scheduled to be funded through domestic borrowing of $2 billion in 2025 and an additional $1.5 billion in 2026.

In September, the United States Department of Defense gave approval for a potential sale of F-16 fighter jets to Peru.

Political turmoil followed quickly, as President Dina Boluarte was ousted in October, only for her successor, Jose Jeri, to serve just four months before facing impeachment.

This leadership instability coincides with the Trump administration's efforts to expand its influence across Latin America under its so-called Donroe Doctrine.

Washington has already pressured Peru to reduce ties with China, including a public protest in February regarding Chinese ownership of the Pacific port of Chancay.

In a social media statement, the Trump administration claimed that Peru might lack the power to manage Chancay, which remains under the control of allegedly predatory Chinese owners.

Officials stated they support Peru's sovereign right to manage critical infrastructure within its own borders while warning that cheap Chinese financing undermines national sovereignty.

Just recently, Representative Maria Elvira Salazar, a Trump ally, warned that the Chinese-owned port poses a direct threat to the entire Western Hemisphere.

She testified before a congressional committee that the incoming Peruvian government, to be elected next June, must reclaim control over the facility.

Salazar added that the United States would offer assistance to the Peruvian government if it acted to address these security concerns.

However, Peru remains entangled in a contentious presidential election marked by delayed vote counts and serious accusations of electoral misconduct.

Election experts note there is currently no evidence of voter fraud, yet the slow tallying process has left the race undecided more than a week after April 12.

Right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori, a former First Lady, appears almost certain to advance to a runoff election scheduled for June.

The identity of her potential running mate remains uncertain, though left-wing Congress member Roberto Sanchez currently leads with 12 percent of the votes counted.

Far-right candidate Rafael Lopez Aliaga follows closely behind with 11.9 percent of the votes and has been a vocal supporter of the Trump administration.

The final results for the first round of the election are expected to be released in May.

Traditionally, the new president of Peru is sworn into office on July 28, which marks the nation's Independence Day.