Peru has begun the process of joining the Shield of the Americas, a regional security initiative championed by United States President Donald Trump, Foreign Affairs Minister Carlos Espa announced on Friday, days after newly inaugurated President Keiko Fujimori assumed office.
The Shield of the Americas brings together several pro-US governments in Latin America, including Argentina, Ecuador and El Salvador, to strengthen cooperation against organised crime and drug trafficking.
The alliance focuses on intelligence sharing, judicial collaboration and coordinated security operations aimed at tackling transnational criminal networks operating across the region.
President Fujimori, who was sworn into office on Tuesday, had pledged during her election campaign to confront Peru’s worsening security challenges and had previously indicated her administration’s intention to seek membership of the alliance.
Speaking at an event in Lima on Friday, Espa said Peru would advance efforts to become part of the regional security framework.
“We will continue the progress achieved with…
