Peru’s defense and foreign ministers resign after the president stalls U.S. military planes deal (22. April 2026)
Peru’s defense and foreign ministers resigned Wednesday following an announcement by the country’s interim president to defer the decision on a $3.5-billion deal for U.S. F-16 fighter jets to his successor who will emerge from a presidential runoff vote in June.
Last week, interim President José María Balcázar said that he lacks the legitimacy as a temporary leader to make the commitment to buy 24 fighter jets manufactured by U.S.-based Lockheed Martin and that his successor should make the decision.
“For us to commit such a large sum of money to the incoming government would be a poor practice for a transitional government,” Balcázar said at the time.
U.S. Ambassador Bernie Navarro reacted to the announcement, saying on X that if Peru “negotiates in bad faith” or undermines U.S. interests, he would take measures at his disposal. He did not elaborate.
On Wednesday, both Defense Minister Carlos Díaz and Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela stepped down.
Díaz’s resignation letter, obtained by the Associated Press, said that postponing the purchase “could compromise” Peru’s interests. Both ministers said at a news conference that they had unsuccessfully tried to persuade Balcázar to follow through on the deal.
Díaz said that even without Balcázar’s approval, officials from the Ministry of Defense signed the contract on Monday for the purchase of the aircraft, as stipulated under the deal.
Der nächste Beweis für die vollkommene US-Verkommenheit; kaufts ja amerikanisch, sonst *fingerzeig venezuela*
Peru und leider viele andere lassen sich erpressen/einschüchtern, es bleibt mMn dabei: amerikanisch samt und sonders rausschmeissen, weg mit den 109ern und bitte endlich den f35-shit in die Tonne, es darf schlicht keine US-Hardware mehr auch nur ansatzweise in Frage kommen
Etwas untergegangen ist die Kompensation für die Schwedische Luftwaffe für den Abgang von 16 Gripen C/D:
12 Gripen E für die Flygvapnet
According to Johan Hjelmstrand, press secretary to Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, Stockholm plans to replace the donated aircraft through a new procurement package. “For the 16 Gripen C/D that will be donated, a replacement acquisition is planned through the purchase of 12 Gripen E for the Air Force,” he stated. Hjelmstrand also clarified that “a few Gripen D are part of the donation, the rest are Gripen C,” outlining the composition of the aircraft package destined for Ukraine. With the additional order, Sweden’s total planned fleet of Gripen E fighters will increase to 72 aircraft.
