Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori announced that Peru will join the Shield of the Americas, a U.S.-led coalition to combat transnational drug cartels and reduce illegal immigration in the Western Hemisphere.
Fujimori made the announcement on Sept. 10 in a joint press event together with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the presidential palace in Lima. Being part of the coalition will enable Peru “to obtain faster information and act more firmly. And from Peru, we will act with all the powers granted by the law and the constitution,” Fujimori said.
The president said joining Shield of the Americas is “of the essence” for the country.
According to Fujimori, in the 1990s, the United States helped Peru tackle drug trafficking, with the South American country eventually able to cut down the production of coca leaf—the source of cocaine—from 120,000 to 20,000 hectares.
“We have already shown results when two countries have a political decision, can work jointly, shoulder to shoulder,” Fujimori said.
Regarding knowledge-share with Peru, the president highlighted the recent capture of a Peruvian criminal organization member from Bolivia after the FBI supplied essential intelligence to Peru.
Fujimori thanked Rubio for the opportunity to join Shield of the Americas.
“We have had to face terrorism and we know how difficult it is to face these criminal organizations that do not respect any borders. And for this reason, we need to join efforts with other countries,” Fujimori said.
Shield of the Americas, also known as the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition, was
establishedby Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Members of the coalition commit to using hard power to defeat threats to security and civilization, according to a March 7 proclamation by President Donald Trump.
In the joint press event, Rubio said that the Shield of the Americas will act against criminal and terrorist groups endangering the sovereignty of nations.
“When we are encountering criminal bands that have more money and best military equipment than the military themselves, that is not acceptable. And against that is the shield,” Rubio said.
The Shield of the Americas includes more than 15 countries, including Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Chile, El Salvador, Paraguay, and Panama.
Last month, members of the coalition
metin Panama, where Hegseth told attendees that the United States was committed to working with partners to dismantle transnational criminal drug cartels, according to an Aug. 12 statement from the Department of War.
“When we say we will dismantle the cartels, we mean it, and I know the nations of this coalition feel the exact same way ... and will take concrete steps—sometimes risky steps, courageous steps—in partnership,” Hegseth said.
According to Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), the meeting included discussions on next steps for the coalition, including designating roles and setting up working groups with objectives and milestones.
On Aug. 4, SOUTHCOM announced the activation of the Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere, which will integrate U.S. military capabilities with member nations from the Shield of the Americas to tackle various threats.
The task force “strengthens our ability to work alongside trusted allies and partners, synchronize military capabilities and apply sustained pressure against the networks that threaten our collective security,” Donovan said.
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