Peru's new Foreign Minister eyes stronger US ties as Fujimori takes office

Peru will deepen its relations with ​the United States, which it sees as a "strategic ‌partner," newly-appointed Foreign Minister Carlos Espá said on Friday.
He added Peru will also work to restore diplomatic ties with Mexico and ​Colombia, and take initial steps to rebuild relations ​with Venezuela.Espá was named earlier this week as ⁠part of President Keiko Fujimori's incoming conservative cabinet. He ​spent years working at the U.S. Embassy in Lima as ​communications director, a background that has fueled expectations of a foreign policy more closely aligned with Washington.
Fujimori was sworn in on Tuesday ​after winning June's presidential runoff and has signaled ​she plans to strengthen cooperation with the United States, noting "very significant space" for ‌collaboration ⁠with President Donald Trump's administration.
Washington has mounted its most assertive push in years to shore up influence in Peru, a major copper producer that has become a key ​strategic partner for ​China, as ⁠Washington seeks to counter Beijing's growing influence in Latin America.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State ​Christopher Landau attended Fujimori's inauguration in Lima ​this ⁠week.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Espá added that Peru was moving forward with plans to join the "Shield ⁠of the ​Americas," a U.S.-backed initiative aimed ​at combating transnational crime.

-Reuters