US, Peru boost military ties to fight terrorism, drugs
US, Peru boost military ties to fight terrorism, drugs
Posted: 07 October 2012 0550 hrs
LIMA: The United States and Peru are boosting their military ties as they work to step up joint counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism efforts, the country's defence chiefs said Saturday.
"The United States is part of the family of the Americas and we face some common challenges, we face the challenge of terrorism, of drug-trafficking," US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said after meeting with President Ollanta Humala and his counterpart, Pedro Cateriano.
Cateriano echoed Panetta's remarks, adding that Lima and Washington would update their bilateral defense cooperation accord dating back to 1952.
"Our country will do whatever it can to work with our friends here in Peru to provide whatever assistance is necessary in order to make sure that Peru can provide better security and prosperity for this country and can help provide for the security and prosperity of this region," Panetta said, saluting "strategic partner" Lima.
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