The United States Ambassador to Peru Brian A. Nichols on Wednesday delivered material and equipment worth over US$691,000 to support the Peruvian Navy and National Police's anti-drug law enforcement efforts.
"As a loyal and determined ally in the fight against regional and transnational crime, Peru requires the cooperation of the United States," Ambassador Nichols said during the handover ceremony at Callao Naval Base.
"And we are here to tell you the collaboration will remain strong in the future. We [hereby] donate more than US$691,000 worth of equipment and tools," he pointed out.
The generous donation includes computers, cameras, communication equipment, bulletproof vests, among other implements.
"Challenges are huge and this contribution will help [face them], but there is plenty more for us to do in the future because criminals possess vast economic resources," he explained.
"That is why they have the possibility to corrupt some authorities in different parts of the world," he added.
In this sense, the Foreign Affairs official noted the donation would improve living conditions of Peruvians settled in the Valley of Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro rivers (Vraem), an area overrun by drug traffickers and terrorism.
"I would like to thank the Government and the people of Peru for their friendship and cooperation. I assure you we will always be by your side," he concluded.
The U.S. has contributed more than
US$3.3 million through USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), which will provide further funds for the RCC process.
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