Peru's defense and foreign ministers resign over F-16 purchase delay

Peru's Minister of Defense Carlos Díaz Dañino and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugo de Zela Martínez resigned Wednesday following interim President José María Balcázar's decision to postpone the purchase of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets from the United States.

Díaz cited a substantive disagreement that he said could compromise national security. De Zela publicly expressed his "complete disagreement" with what he called a "sudden change of decision" by the president, stating the reversal damaged Peru's credibility in international negotiations.

De Zela, speaking to RPP radio, accused Balcázar of misleading Peruvians about the purchase. "It makes us become a country with which you cannot trust in a negotiation process," De Zela said after submitting his resignation letter. He noted that the president had previously stated his government had not purchased the aircraft, despite reports circulating in media that an agreement had been reached.

The postponement came despite the Peruvian Air Force having already signed the sales agreement. Balcázar cited the debt implications of the acquisition as his reason for deferring the decision to the next administration.

The U.S. Embassy in Peru warned of consequences if the country failed to honor the agreement that officials said had been reached.