Overview
- Peru’s defense and foreign ministers resigned in protest after Interim President José María Balcázar said he would postpone the F‑16 purchase until the next government.
- Both ministers said contracts were already signed, echoing local reports that a private ceremony at Las Palmas Air Base sealed a 12‑jet deal with Lockheed Martin.
- Balcázar said there was no purchase yet, leaving the status of the agreement in dispute.
- The U.S. ambassador warned of consequences after Peru canceled a planned signing, signaling strains in the relationship with Washington.
- The United States had cleared a potential sale worth about $3.42 billion that includes weapons, training, support gear, and an option for 12 more jets, with trade outlets saying deliveries could begin in 2029 to replace grounded MiG‑29s.