Peru joins US-backed Americas Shield to fight transnational crime

08:21

By: Azzat Manal

Peru joins US-backed Americas Shield to fight transnational crime

Peru is set to join the “Americas Shield,” a US-backed coalition aimed at strengthening cooperation against transnational organised crime, President Keiko Fujimori announced Thursday following a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Lima.

The announcement came as security and the fight against criminal networks took centre stage during Rubio’s latest South American tour. Fujimori said discussions at the Government Palace focused largely on tackling cross-border organised crime and addressing growing security concerns affecting citizens.

According to the Peruvian president, joining the initiative will allow Peru to cooperate more closely with other countries facing similar threats. She argued that the country’s experience in confronting terrorism has highlighted the importance of coordinated action and faster exchanges of information.

Fujimori also sought to reassure the public that participation in the initiative would not compromise Peru’s sovereignty. She said her government would operate within the powers established by the country’s constitution and laws, while using greater international cooperation to respond more effectively to criminal threats.

The initiative, launched by US President Donald Trump, brings together governments seeking closer security cooperation against criminal organisations operating across national borders. Peru’s participation would add another South American partner to the framework, which already includes a number of governments aligned politically with Washington.

Rubio described transnational criminal organisations as increasingly sophisticated networks with extensive financial resources and access to advanced equipment. He argued that some criminal groups have developed capabilities that can rival or exceed those of security forces in certain countries in the region.

The US secretary of state also presented these organisations as a direct security concern for the United States, arguing that their activities can undermine the sovereignty and stability of countries across the Western Hemisphere.

Washington, Rubio said, has the ability to take unilateral action when necessary, but prefers to work through partnerships with sovereign governments. He stressed that cooperation allows countries to coordinate their responses while respecting national sovereignty.

The discussions between Rubio and Fujimori extended beyond security issues. The two officials also addressed bilateral cooperation in responding to natural disasters, including climate-related emergencies associated with the El Niño phenomenon. Trade and investment were also part of the talks, highlighting the broader scope of the relationship between Lima and Washington.

Peru has long faced challenges linked to organised crime, drug trafficking, illegal mining and other forms of cross-border criminal activity. Authorities in the region increasingly rely on international intelligence-sharing and coordinated law-enforcement operations because criminal networks can operate across several jurisdictions at the same time.

For Peru, participation in a regional security framework could provide access to information and operational cooperation with partner countries. At the same time, the government will face the challenge of balancing closer security coordination with concerns over national sovereignty and the independent exercise of domestic law-enforcement powers.

Rubio’s meeting with Fujimori was the final stop on his South American tour, which also included Ecuador and Colombia. The trip underscored Washington’s efforts to deepen cooperation with governments in the region on security, migration, trade and investment.

Peru’s decision to join the Americas Shield therefore represents both a security commitment and a broader diplomatic move toward closer cooperation with the United States and other regional partners. The effectiveness of the initiative will ultimately depend on how participating countries share intelligence, coordinate operations and address the underlying conditions that allow transnational criminal networks to expand.