With our correspondent in Lima, Martin Chabal
Bernie Navarro, the American ambassador to Peru, is angry. On Twitter, he threatens the Peruvian government to use “all means at his disposal” if negotiations to purchase F-16 fighter jets stop.
But for now, Peru prefers to pause the discussions. Interim President José Maria Balcazar does not want to commit to a $3.5 billion contract and prefers to leave the final decision to the next government, which will take office next July.
But tensions between Peru and the United States have been increasing since the arrival of the new American ambassador in February.
Fervent Trump supporter
Bernie Navarro is a fervent supporter of Donald Trump, and a close friend of Marco Rubio, the American Secretary of State.
Bernie Navarro is one of the new ambassadors sent to South America, to try to impose the American vision on the continent and counteract China’s plans in the region.
He had previously posted a photo with former Peruvian president José Jéri, eating hamburgers and inviting Peruvians to “change the menu” and stop eating Chinese food.
With this fighter jet contract, Bernie Navarro wants to impose a strategic partnership for Washington on Peru. Even if it means exceeding his role as a diplomat.
