The Peruvian Congress approved at dawn this Friday a draft legislative resolution authorizing the entry of US military troops into Peruvian territory from June 1 to December 31.
With 70 votes in favor, 33 against and four abstentions, the plenary session of parliament endorsed the measure, which was rejected by the left-wing benches.
The person in charge of justifying the text was legislator Alfredo Azurín, secretary of national defense, internal order, alternative development and the fight against drugs, who explained that American personnel would carry out “cooperation and training” activities. Armed Forces and National Police.
Likewise, the congressmen assured that the entry of the US contingent “is not intended to impose any foreign military base on Peruvian territory and will not affect national sovereignty”, according to the Parliamentary Communications Office.
In this sense, on December 31, the Ministry of Defense clarified that “the United States does not have a single military base on Peruvian territory.”
A “rare” vote
The vote comes two weeks after the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) documented serious violations by the military and police during protests against Congress and President Dina Boluaarte.
For the IACHR, the “disproportionate, indiscriminate and lethal” use was confirmed by the high number of deaths, counted at 67 in total, the majority of which (49) occurred after clashes with public security forces.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Clement Wolle, agreed that there had been an “excessive use” of force during the demonstrations.
“The excessive and disproportionate use of force during the protests that began in December resulted in the deaths and injuries of protesters and bystanders,” Wole asserted.
