Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded a three-nation tour of South America on Thursday with a meeting in Lima with Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori. The visit, which followed stops in Colombia and Ecuador, aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation on counter-narcotics and immigration enforcement under the Trump administration’s renewed focus on the Western Hemisphere.
Rubio’s itinerary highlights a strategic effort to build a coalition of conservative-led nations to combat drug trafficking and reduce illegal migration. The administration has prioritized a tough stance on "narcoterrorism," including military strikes against alleged drug traffickers. U.S. forces have conducted three operations this week to stop and destroy vessels suspected of transporting narcotics in international waters and territorial waters of partner nations.
What the Right Is Saying
The Trump administration and its regional allies frame the tour as a necessary response to rising crime and drug trafficking. Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espá stated before the meeting that they hoped to discuss strengthening the bilateral relationship, specifically regarding "security and defense and the fight against transnational organized crime, which is so damaging to our country."
President Fujimori, like her counterparts in Colombia and Ecuador, has prioritized the fight against crime, particularly extortion and murder. The administration views these nations as aligned in their goals to curb criminal activity that affects daily life and national security. Rubio previously hailed Ecuador as an "aggressive" partner in the U.S. counterdrug push, signaling approval of the joint military operations being established in the region.
The coalition includes Colombia under new President Abelardo de la Espriella, which recently joined the joint operations. There is speculation that Peru may join this military cooperation framework under Fujimori. The administration argues that these efforts are essential to address the root causes of migration and the flow of narcotics into the United States.
What the Left Is Saying
Critics of the U.S. approach, including leftist groups in Peru, view the diplomatic push as an assertion of imperial influence. Hundreds of protesters gathered in Lima as Rubio arrived, chanting "Yankees out of Peru" and displaying banners with the Secretary of State's image. The demonstrations were monitored by police and remained peaceful.
Carmen Espinoza, a protester who spoke to The Associated Press, stated that "Marco Rubio arrived in Peru today, and what he wants is for Peru to be his colony." She added that the crowd was present to "reject the visit of an enemy of Peru." Another protester, Soledad Lozano, argued that Peru "is not the backyard of any country in the world" and asserted that Peruvians should decide "with whom we ally ourselves and what agreements we make."
The Chinese Embassy in Peru issued a statement on the eve of Rubio's visit emphasizing that the "Western Hemisphere is nobody's 'backyard.'" The statement noted that Latin American countries have the "sovereign right to freely choose their partners" and expressed China's willingness to continue working with Peru and other regional nations, countering U.S. narratives of hemispheric primacy.
What the Numbers Show
Peru is one of the world's leading producers of cocaine, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. It is the second-largest cultivator of coca leaf, the raw material for cocaine, behind only Colombia, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Crime data from Peru illustrates the severity of the issues driving this cooperation. Official data shows that reports of extortion in Peru rose from 2,421 in 2019 to 26,734 in 2025. At the end of August, Peru declared a 60-day state of emergency in Lima and the port of Callao due to the rise in crime and created a committee to coordinate police efforts. The government also declared a state of emergency in five prisons to control access and prevent escapes.
U.S. forces have conducted three operations this week alone to stop and destroy vessels suspected of transporting narcotics. These actions have taken place in international waters in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean, as well as in the territorial waters of Ecuador.
The Bottom Line
The tour underscores the Trump administration's strategy to reinvigorate the Monroe Doctrine's principle of U.S. influence in the Americas, focusing on drugs, migration, and countering Chinese influence. The administration has paired this hemispheric focus with other foreign policy priorities, including military engagements in the Middle East.
Peru's participation in the emerging coalition of conservative-led nations remains a key area to watch. While Colombia has already joined the joint military operations against drug cartels, it is not yet confirmed whether Peru will formally commit to similar joint operations. The outcome of the talks between Rubio and Fujimori will likely determine the extent of military and economic cooperation between Washington and Lima in the coming months.