Peru’s defence and foreign ministers quit in protest over stalled US F-16 jet deal

Peru’s foreign and defence ministers resigned on Wednesday in protest over the interim president’s decision to stall a US$3.5 billion deal for the purchase of 24 US F-16 fighter jets.

The ministers said the deal had already been signed and that to cast doubt on it now jeopardised Peru’s reputation as a trading partner.

Despite the president’s declared wish to suspend the purchase, the Ministry of Economy announced late Wednesday that it had transferred US$462 million as part of an initial payment for the contract with aircraft manufacturer, Lockheed Martin.

The confusion over the purchase and the abrupt resignations deepened instability gripping the South American country, after a recent election to choose the country’s ninth president in a decade descended into chaos.

No candidate emerged with an outright majority, meaning a run-off election would be held June 7.

Interim president Jose Maria Balcazar said on Tuesday he would leave it up to the victor to finalise the jets deal.