An official delegation of the Government of Peru has met with the secretary of defense of the United States, Pete Segsethat the headquarters of Pentagonwith the aim of strengthening the current strategic and defense association between the two countries.
The South American contingent has been headed by the Minister of Defense, Walter Astudilloaccompanied by the general commander of the Peru Air Force (FAP), general Carlos Chávez Cateriano; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elmer Schialerand by the Ambassador of Peru in the US, Alfredo Ferrero.
In his welcome words, Secretary Seveh thanked the presence of Peruvian officials, stressed that the Pentagon works hard on the implementation of the policy Peace through strength of the administration led by the president Donald Trumpand indicated that both countries share several of common challenges and threats.
“We are making progress against things such as traffic (of people and drugs), migration and violent criminal companies with subjects who are threatening and violating our communities. We also recognize the threat that China represents for our countries, for our people and for peace in the region. Beijing is investing and operating in the region towards an unfair economic gain. To prevent conflicts we need to discuss conflicts China threats in this hemisphere.
The US official also added that he hopes to be present in the next edition of the Conference of Ministers of Defense of the Americaswhich will take place next year in Peru.
For his part, Minister Walter Astudillo indicated that uncontrolled immigration derives in organized crime, people traffic, drug trafficking and money laundering; phenomena that affect the national security of Peru and its development prospects, which is why it considers the union of all the countries of the continent to respond to these problems that are transnational character
In turn, Peruvian Chancellor Elmer Schialer recalled that in May of next year 200 years of bilateral diplomatic relations will be held, and added that Peru hopes to raise that relationship to an integral strategic level. The official stressed that in addition to the illegal activities indicated by Minister Astudillo, Peru is also affected by illegal mining and illegal wood felling. And ratified that Peru seeks to strengthen strategic and defense cooperation with the United States.
It should be noted that the assistance of General Carlos Chávez Cateriano, in his capacity as General Commander of the Peruvian Air Force, at the working meeting with Secretary Seveh and other military and civil authorities of the Pentagon, is of special relevance due to the next selection of the 24 hunting airplanes for the FAP. He F-16 Bloque 70 (Lockheed Martin Aeronautics) is one of the three products under evaluation in a short list also made up of the Rafale (Dassault Aviation) y Gripen e (Saab).
The Peruvian delegation will also meet with the directors of the US state Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which manages the program Military sales abroad (FMS).
