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Peru's defense and foreign ministers resign after the president stalls US military planes deal
The ministers quit after Balcazar said the next government should decide on the purchase, deepening confusion over a deal already hit by a $462 million payment.
- On Wednesday, Peruvian Defense Minister Carlos Diaz and Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela resigned in protest after interim President Jose Maria Balcazar stalled a $3.5 billion deal to purchase 24 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets.
- Interim President Balcazar canceled a signing ceremony last Friday, citing concerns about binding the next government to a major defense commitment before he leaves office in July.
- Despite the president's opposition, officials signed contracts on Monday, with de Zela claiming the delay "endangers our country and undermines its credibility" in a negotiation process.
- U.S. Ambassador Bernie Navarro warned that Washington would use "all available tools" against any party that negotiates "in bad faith" with the United States.
- The procurement has become entangled in a chaotic election period, with the country awaiting a June runoff to determine who will face frontrunner Keiko Fujimori for the presidency.
74 Articles
74 Articles
(AFP) Peru is facing a new political crisis following the resignation on Wednesday of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence, amid a disagreement with the interim president José María Balcázar about the purchase of F-16 fighter aircraft from the United States. Despite the President’s declared desire to suspend this acquisition, the Ministry of Economy announced on the night that it had transferred $462 million as part of the first payment …
F-16 row sparks resignations as Peru halts US$3.5b deal with US
LIMA, April 23 — Peru’s foreign and defense ministers resigned on Wednesday in protest over the interim president’s decision to stall a US$3.5 billion (RM13.87 billion) deal for the purchase of 24 US F-16 fighter jets.The ministers said the deal had already been signed and that to cast doubt on it now jeopardized Peru’s reputation as a trading partner.Despite the president’s declared wish to suspend the purchase, the Ministry of Economy announce…
Two Per officials resigned today for a disagreement with President Balc Tsar over the purchase of F-16 fighter aircraft from the US.
Peru has signed the purchase of US fighter jets. The interim president wants to leave the decision to his successor and thus triggers a government crisis.
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