Peru ministers quit as interim leader delays US F-16 deal amid political turmoil

Two Peruvian cabinet-level ministers resigned after interim President Balcazar postponed the decision to buy 24 Lockheed Martin F-16 jets, saying the next elected government should decide on such a large purchase. Defence Minister Carlos Diaz and Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela cited fundamental disagreement with delaying a national-security decision. The move comes amid Peru's political instability and a stalled presidential race, drawing US pushback and noting alternative offers from Dassault and Saab. The deal, approved in 2024, remains tied to the transition to the next administration.