The Congress of the Republic of Peru approved a resolution this Thursday authorizing the entry of US military personnel throughout the country during the year 2026. The measure stipulates that uniformed personnel will carry weapons of war in various cities, under the pretext of carrying out cooperation activities with the Armed Forces and the National Police.
The decision was made without prior debate, with 73 votes in favor, 25 against and two abstentions, reflecting a parliamentary majority in favor of the presence of foreign troops on national territory.
According to the president of the National Defense Commission, Karol Paredes, the arrival of American military personnel is of "special relevance" to the Peruvian Navy and is part of a continuous collaboration relationship, ruling out that it is a violation of sovereignty or the installation of a foreign military base.
Planned cities and rotations
US troops will be deployed in locations such as Lima, Junín, Cusco, Ayacucho and Apurímac, with rotations every three to six months.
The plan includes support, assistance and joint training with Peruvian forces, in a scheme similar to the one already applied in 2024, when the stay of foreign troops in the country was also authorized.
Regional context and tensions
The approval comes amid a growing debate about the foreign military presence in Latin America.
In the Caribbean, the United States has intensified operations against vessels accused of drug trafficking, resulting in dozens of deaths, which has generated criticism from governments in the region and warnings from international organizations about the legality of these actions.
In parallel, the Donald Trump administration has maintained a policy of pressure on governments such as that of Venezuela, with sanctions and threats of intervention, which reinforces concerns about the scope of the US military strategy on the continent.
