Today, Administrator Samantha Power was in Lima for the second and final day of her visit to Peru. She first met with Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén and Vice Foreign Minister Peter Camino to discuss the U.S.-Peru bilateral relationship and shared development priorities. The Administrator congratulated Prime Minister Adrianzén on Peru's successful hosting of the 2024 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Summit. The Administrator also recognized Peru's continued support for the regional response to migration under the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. The Administrator and Prime Minister discussed the damage caused by environmental crimes, as well as threats and attacks on Peruvian environmental defenders. The Administrator urged the Government of Peru to safeguard the country's natural environment and its democratic institutions.
Administrator Power then visited a school where Peruvians and migrant children are educated. At the school, USAID and UNICEF launched a new project that will support migrant and refugee children's access to education and formalization of their legal status. The Administrator spoke to a mother who had fled Venezuela with her children and heard about the challenges her family faced in rebuilding their lives.
Administrator Power then joined students for a soccer match, where she thanked the students for welcoming her and highlighted the power of sports to connect diverse communities.
Administrator Power joined renowned Peruvian chef Pedro Miguel Schaiffino and representatives from USAID's Together for Conservation project to discuss efforts to create economic opportunities for Indigenous Communities, particularly through the development of sustainable supply chains for Amazonian fruits, fish, and other products to restaurants in Peru and the region.
Administrator Power then met with a group of Peruvian civil society leaders to discuss challenges facing Peru's democracy, including those related to corruption, press freedom and closing civic space, and to explore opportunities for reform. Administrator Power and the leaders underscored the essential role of civil society and independent media for a vibrant democracy, their shared concerns about attacks and threats against human rights and environmental defenders, and the importance of building coalitions to address challenges to democracy in Peru.
Administrator Power ended her visit by meeting with USAID's workforce in Peru, thanking them for their exceptional commitment to supporting the U.S. and Peru's indispensable partnership.
