US President Donald Trump intends to designate Peru as a major non-NATO ally, another sign of his outreach to Latin American partners as the administration escalates its campaign against Venezuela and alleged narco-terrorists.<\/p>\n
The White House on Thursday sent a presidential message to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations of his intent to make the designation, following standard protocol for such a move. Trump said Peru and the US have \u201cshared security priorities, including regional stability, counternarcotics, and economic ties,\u201d in the message to lawmakers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trump has been looking to rally more governments in Latin America to back his drug-fighting agenda. In Peru, the status offers to boost a new leader who has pledged to be tough on crime.\u00a0<\/p>\n
President Jos\u00e9 Jer\u00ed, Peru\u2019s eighth head of state in a decade, was inaugurated in October following the impeachment of his predecessor. His interim term runs out in July and Peruvians will hold general elections in April.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand this is a novel strategy from the American government,\u201d Peruvian Prime Minister Ernesto \u00c1lvarez told reporters on Friday. \u201cWhat we hope is to take advantage for the benefit of our societies.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Peru\u2019s foreign minister recently visited Washington and met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The two spoke about critical minerals and efforts to fight transnational criminal organisations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trump has launched attacks on alleged drug-trafficking boats in waters around Venezuela and threatened land strikes on that country, vowing to target a regime he says is allowing illegal narcotics to flow into the United States. Peru, along with Colombia and Bolivia, is a top producer of the crop that is used to make cocaine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The designation for Peru follows Trump affording the same status to Saudi Arabia during a recent visit from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Peru and Saudi Arabia are joining a roster of 19 other countries with the status, which beyond its symbolic significance affords military and economic privileges, including eligibility to bid on US government contracts to repair defence equipment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In Latin America, Peru would join Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil as countries with the designation.<\/p>\n
by Gregory Korte & Marcelo Rochabrun, Bloomberg<\/p>\n
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