Marco Rubio wraps up South America tour in Lima, confirms Peru’s entry into Shield of the Americas

Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, concluded his South America tour with a visit to Peru, where he met with President Keiko Fujimori in Lima. During the meeting, both leaders confirmed Peru's incorporation into the Shield of the Americas, an initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation in security and combating organized crime.

The meeting took place following Rubio's prior visits to Ecuador and Colombia, where similar topics related to the fight against drug trafficking were discussed. According to various sources, Peru's accession to this initiative also reflects a alignment with the U.S. amid rising tensions over China's increasing influence in the region.

Rubio emphasized that Peru's entry into the Shield of the Americas marks the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations between the two countries. He noted that there is a focus on strengthening ties in military and technological fields, especially in efforts to combat organized crime and drug trafficking.

During the visit, activities included a press conference addressing the main issues on the bilateral agenda. An important focus of the conversation was the need to counteract Chinese influence in Latin America, an issue that has gained relevance in U.S. foreign policy.

Clarín reported that Rubio's tour aimed to strengthen U.S. strategic alliances in the region, while El Comercio highlighted the importance of constituting the Shield of the Americas group, which was formed in March 2026 in Doral, Florida.

Finally, Rubio's visit to Peru underscores a strategic shift in U.S. foreign policy under Keiko Fujimori’s leadership, who seeks to strengthen alliances with the U.S. in the context of a clear message regarding security and international cooperation.