Skip to main contentSkip to navigationSkip to navigation
Peruvian air force planes fly over Lima rehearsing for the Peruvian Independence Day.
Peruvian air force planes rehearsing for the Peruvian Independence Day. Photograph: Carlos Garcia Granthon/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
Peruvian air force planes rehearsing for the Peruvian Independence Day. Photograph: Carlos Garcia Granthon/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Peru announces air security pact with US in bid to stop drug planes

Deal revives agreement from 20 years ago and will allow intelligence and training support for Peru’s air force

Peru announced an air security agreement with the US on Saturday in what the government described as a push to stop planes belonging to drug gangs from entering the South American country’s airspace.

The deal revives a bilateral security cooperation pact with the US from 20 years ago, according to a government statement, and will permit new intelligence and training support to flow to Peru’s air force.

You need to register to keep reading

It’s still free to read – this is not a paywall

We’re committed to keeping our quality reporting open. By registering and providing us with insight into your preferences, you’re helping us to engage with you more deeply, and that allows us to keep our journalism free for all. You’ll always be able to control your own .

Register for free

Have a subscription? Made a contribution? Already registered?

Sign In

It covers upgrades to two dozen helicopters and radar equipment, with the statement also citing “intense collaboration” with the US, but without disclosing the cost of the security assistance.

The US Department of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The statement cited Peruvian defence minister Jorge Chávez, who stressed that airspace interdictions efforts under the agreement will be carried out via nonlethal means.

An earlier air security pact between the countries was suspended two decades ago after Peru’s air force shot down a plane it had misidentified, killing two US citizens.

More on this story

More on this story

  • Peruvian police seize 58kg of cocaine bearing pictures of Nazi flag

  • Peru: former president Alejandro Toledo arrives to face corruption charges

  • At least 15 dead after strong earthquake hits Ecuador and northern Peru

  • Peru’s new president swears in her cabinet with anti-corruption pledge

  • Peru’s prime minister to step down after allegations of domestic violence

  • Peru: new president appoints Marxist as prime minister

  • Leftwing rural teacher Pedro Castillo sworn in as president of Peru

  • Peru’s new president to take charge of divided country ravaged by Covid

  • Peru police break up alleged scam charging huge sums for Covid ICU beds

Most viewed

Most viewed