Background Press Gaggle by a Senior Administration Official on the U.S.-Peru Bilateral Meeting

Lima Convention Center
Lima, Peru

MODERATOR: I figured we'd do a quick gaggle on background, attributable to an SAO, reading out the Peru meeting and answer any questions you all have.

So, [senior administration official], do you want to say anything at the top?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Sure. So, President Biden had a very warm meeting with President Dina Boluarte of Peru. The meeting lasted for about 50 minutes -- 5-0 minutes.

In the meeting, they discussed the historic nature of the U.S.-Peru relationship. The two countries will celebrate 200 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.

President Biden also remarked that this year, 2024, marks the 15th anniversary of the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement.

They discussed cooperation between the United States and Peru on counternarcotics, and President Biden highlighted the $65 million donation of nine Black Hawk helicopters to Peru that will take place in the coming period.

They also discussed space cooperation between the United States and Peru. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson participated in the bilat as well.

There was some discussion of regional issues, specifically Venezuela, and the need for democracies in the region, including the United States and Peru, to continue to support -- for the election victory of Edmundo Gonzalez to be acknowledged by the Maduro authorities, and also discussion of migration and how the United States and Peru and other countries in the region can work together to effectively manage the challenges of migration in the region.

So those were the principal issues discussed.

One other item that was mentioned was a donation that's been made by Caltrain of over 100 locomotives and rail cars to Peru, which will help Peru to modernize its metro system.

And President Boluarte expressed great appreciation for the U.S. contribution to Peruvian infrastructure, and really was enthusiastic about deepening that relationship on infrastructure.

MODERATOR: Any questions?

Q: Can you talk about the counterterrorism part of it? Sorry. The counterterrorism part. Why are we --

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: It's counternarcotics.

Q: Yeah, sorry.

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Counternarcotics.

Q: Why are we donating Black Hawks? Is that like -- are we going to use that to, like, eradicate coca crops or something?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, it's to fight transnational criminal organizations that are fueling the drug trade in Peru and many other countries in Latin America. Peru, after several years of an increase in coca production, actually saw a decrease last year for the first time in many years. And so, the United States is working with Peruvian authorities to help them to build up the capabilities to fight the influence of transnational criminal organizations in Peru.

Q: Was there any discussion of the next administration and what to expect? Or were they picking your guys' brains on that aspect at all?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: No, it really focused on the current U.S. bilateral relationship. President Biden did underscore the importance of respect for democracy and strengthening democratic institutions, as he does in all of his meetings with democratic counterparts around the world.

But it was a meeting that was very much focused on, frankly, the accomplishments that the Biden administration has had with Peru over the past four years.

Q: So no -- Trump didn't come up at all in any sense?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Not explicitly, no.

Q: Any talks of the kind of hub on -- that Xi is going to inaugurate, the megaport? Like, how are leaders feeling about that? And do they have any sense of what they're expecting from the U.S. in terms of development financing?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, President Boluarte did mention the port but in reference to the fact that she also saw greater U.S. support and investment in infrastructure in Peru. Infrastructure is one of her principal priorities.

President Biden did caution that it's important for countries to maintain very high standards of transparency in their dealings with other partners around the world, including China.

Q: One last one. What's the U.S.'s plan at the G20 to regain momentum about Venezuela?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: I don't have any comment on the G20 at this time.