AGP Executive Report

Disaster Response: Peru declared a 60-day state of emergency in five Ayacucho districts after last Thursday’s 7.2 earthquake, citing damage to homes, schools, health centers, and transport routes, with INDECI and multiple ministries coordinating immediate response and rehabilitation. Cultural Heritage: China and Peru signed their first official joint archaeological fieldwork agreements, starting with research on the ancient Caral civilization and later expanding to Inca sites in the Andes. Climate Watch: Global agencies and experts warn the next El Niño could be the strongest on record, with countries including Peru bracing for major weather and health impacts. Regional Economy: ECLAC cut its Latin America growth forecast to 2.2% for 2026, saying the pace is too weak to lift living standards. Local Spotlight: Lima’s cultural scene gets a boost as the city is named Ibero-American Capital of Culture for 2026.

ECLAC Outlook: The UN’s ECLAC kept Latin America’s 2026 growth forecast at 2.2% (from 2.4% in 2025), warning the pace is too weak to lift living standards and close development gaps. Peru Security Tech: Peru is finalizing an encrypted digital platform for extortion reports, aiming to protect victims’ identities and speed up police action against organized crime. Archaeology & Culture: Chinese and Peruvian teams signed on for the first joint archaeological project in South America, focusing on Peru’s Caral civilization, with surveys, excavations, training, and later comparisons with Inca-era sites. El Niño Watch: The UK Met Office warns the next El Niño could be the strongest on record, with 2027 likely among the hottest years ever—raising stakes for disaster planning across the region. Earthquake Reality Check (Peru): Peru reported a 7.2 quake in the southern Andes as part of a broader run of 500+ seismic events this year, with localized damage and calls for emergency rehabilitation.

Public Safety Tech: Peru’s Interior Ministry says it’s in the final phase of building an encrypted digital platform for victims to report extortion, protecting complainants’ identities and speeding police action against organized crime. Earthquake Reality Check: Peru recorded more than 500 earthquakes this year, and a recent 7.2 quake in the southern Andes affected hundreds and damaged schools and health facilities, with officials citing the depth as a reason major damage was limited. Heritage & Science: Chinese and Peruvian institutions have signed an agreement to launch the first joint archaeological project in South America, focusing on the ancient Caral civilization. Regional Diplomacy: Peru and Bolivia reaffirmed plans to deepen integration and cooperation, including resuming or strengthening consular ties. Culture in Motion: “Aura farming” street battles—born online—are drawing young crowds in Peru and across Latin America. Climate Watch: El Niño is forecast to intensify, with warnings that 2027 could be the hottest year on record, raising stakes for Peru’s disaster planning.

Caral Research Deal: Chinese and Peruvian institutions have signed an agreement to launch the first joint archaeological project in South America, focusing on Peru’s Caral civilization—one of the oldest urban centers in the Americas—covering fieldwork, excavations, conservation, and training. Lima Archaeology: Peru’s Culture Ministry says human remains were found at Huaca Pucllana in Lima, described as an offering in a ceremonial channel dating to around 650 AD, with shells, fish bones, birds, and ceramics placed around the body. Earthquake Watch: A 7.2-magnitude quake hit Peru’s Ayacucho region, felt across southern areas and Lima, with early reports pointing to landslides and ongoing damage assessments. El Niño Preparedness: Peru’s government is moving to strengthen preparedness for El Niño impacts, including emergency funding and plans to respond to heavy rains and drought risks. Copper Supply Stress: MMG’s Las Bambas in Peru suspended operations after a workplace accident, with a progressive restart expected from Aug. 21, adding pressure to already tight South American copper supply. Football Calendar Shift: UEFA and CONCACAF are discussing a merged Nations League format that could start as early as autumn 2028, aiming to give teams like the US and Mexico more consistent elite competition.

Archaeology & Culture: Chinese and Peruvian institutions signed an agreement to launch the first joint archaeological project in South America, focusing on Peru’s Caral civilization, with field surveys, excavations, conservation, and joint training. Disaster Response: A 6.7-magnitude earthquake rattled southern Peru, with tremors felt across regions and reports of damage to homes, schools, and healthcare facilities, while officials and media highlighted how preparedness and civil protection budgets shape recovery. Food & Fisheries: Peru’s PRODUCE canceled the North-Central anchovy season after monitoring found too many juvenile anchovies, citing warm ocean conditions linked to El Niño. Politics & Governance: Peru’s government priorities include disaster risk reduction tied to El Niño, alongside measures to strengthen preparedness and response capacity. International Spotlight: Peru’s role in regional sports continues, with a Lima-based Football 7 Super Cup drawing international teams.

Earthquake Response in Peru: A 6.7-magnitude quake hit Peru’s southern Ayacucho region near Aniso, damaging homes and schools and knocking out power to about 9,000 properties; officials reported injuries were minor and multiple health facilities took damage as emergency teams assessed aftershocks. Military Modernization: Peru’s Air Force will equip its F-16V Block 70 fleet with L3Harris’ Viper Shield electronic warfare system, part of broader fighter upgrades. Cultural Spotlight: Lima was named Ibero-American Capital of Culture for 2026, with the city hosting an international UCCI committee meeting to boost cultural cooperation across 18 countries. Global Media Investment: Prime Video announced it will invest more than $2 billion in Latin America from 2027 to 2030, including new originals and expanded sports rights, with Peru listed among markets for subscription options. UN Leadership Race: The Security Council is set to hold another straw poll on candidates to replace Antonio Guterres, with Ivonne A-Baki among the contenders.

Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 6.7 quake hit Peru’s southern Andes near Ayacucho (Parinacochas), with the USGS placing it about 38 km northwest of Upahuacho and the IGP reporting 7.2; despite strong shaking felt across regions including Lima, authorities initially reported limited damage, with at least two injuries during evacuations and reports of rockfalls, plus damage to homes, health centers, and a school. Disaster-Ready Government: Prime Minister Luis Galarreta laid out Peru’s 2026–2031 priorities in Congress, centering the response on cutting citizen insecurity and strengthening disaster risk management, including a national commission for El Niño. Trade Policy Shift: Peru’s new administration says it will push to bring the Peru–Hong Kong free-trade agreement into force in 2026, aiming to position the country as a bridge between South America and the Asia-Pacific, while largely sidestepping direct mention of mainland China. Security & Drugs: The US Treasury sanctioned an Ecuador-to-US cocaine trafficking network tied to gangs operating along routes linking Ecuador, Mexico, and US destinations. Global Diplomacy: UN secretary-general candidate Ivonne Baki argued the Security Council’s structure is outdated and fuels deadlock, calling for reform.

El Niño Response: The U.S. will send the hospital ship USNS Comfort to Peru’s Pacific coast in February 2027 to help Lima prepare for El Niño impacts, with Foreign Minister Carlos Espá and U.S. Ambassador Bernie Navarro outlining a roadmap that includes equipment, expertise, and coordination. Public Health: Peru’s labor watchdog Sunafil opened an investigation into a fatal accident at the Las Bambas copper mine in Apurímac, where two workers died during maintenance and operations were temporarily suspended before a gradual restart. Defense & Technology: Peru selected L3Harris’ Viper Shield electronic warfare suite for its F-16 Block 70 fleet, aiming to improve protection against radar and missile threats. Archaeology & Culture: Archaeologists using LiDAR found at least 2.5 km of hidden pre-Hispanic roads near Machu Picchu, adding detail to how people moved through the wider site landscape. Heritage Discovery: Excavations at Huaca Pucllana in Lima uncovered skeletal remains believed to be a ritual offering tied to the Lima culture.

El Niño Response: The U.S. will send the hospital ship USNS Comfort to Peru’s Pacific coast in February 2027 to support Lima’s preparations for El Niño impacts, after talks between U.S. Ambassador Bernie Navarro and Foreign Minister Carlos Espá. Flooding Hits Tourism and Daily Life: Heavy El Niño rains have flooded homes and disrupted Lima’s water and sewage services, closed roads from landslides, and forced the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu shut until Saturday, with Peru’s fishing and agriculture already feeling the strain. Education Under Pressure: PRONABEC scholarship recipients in Lima staged a sit-in demanding the Education Ministry respond to proposed PRONABEC rule changes that they say could delay studies or threaten expulsion. Press Freedom Warning: Peru’s National Association of Journalists says a bill would criminalize “apology” related to serious crimes in political crises, using broad language that could chill reporting and journalism. Amazon Church Focus: Bishops in Peru’s Amazon say Pope Leo XIV’s November visit— including a stop in Pucallpa—should spotlight Amazon wounds and socioenvironmental challenges. Local Protest, Global Crime: Peru’s Amazon river borderlands are also in the spotlight as drug routes shift, while residents and officials warn of rising violence tied to organized groups.

Armed Forces Oversight: President Keiko Fujimori received a situational report on military operations nationwide and reviewed deployments with commanders, as the Armed Forces outline their constitutional roles from internal order to disaster response. Defense Modernization: Peru has selected L3Harris’ Viper Shield electronic warfare suite for its future F-16 Block 70 fleet, boosting protection against radar-guided threats as Lima moves to integrate U.S. combat systems. Navy Shipbuilding: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Peru’s SIMA launched the BAP Chimbote, the first of two landing support ships co-built in Peru, with Fujimori presiding; the project follows the earlier launch of BAP Talara and aims to strengthen coastal logistics and emergency capability. Fuel Protests: Transport workers in multiple regions protested fuel price spikes and shortages, blocking roads in the Amazon; Fujimori announced a temporary subsidy for freight and passenger operators to ease tensions. Trade Crackdown: Peru’s OLCI is pushing customs modernization to curb used clothing smuggling, linking the illicit supply chain to smuggling, document fraud, corruption, and textile waste. El Niño Watch: NOAA says the current El Niño has a high chance of becoming very strong, with Peru expected to feel impacts through heavier rainfall and broader economic strain. Archaeology in Lima: Excavations at Huaca Pucllana uncovered sacrificial remains tied to ritual activity, adding to understanding of Lima’s ancient culture. Mining Update: PPX Mining secured environmental approval for a 10,315m drill program at its Igor Project in Portachuelos, aiming to start drilling by late September.

Fuel-price protests and early Fujimori pushback: Peru’s newly inaugurated President Keiko Fujimori is facing her first wave of protests as transport workers block roads over soaring fuel costs tied to regional supply problems and Petroperú shortages; Fujimori has promised a temporary subsidy, but not everyone is satisfied. Security cooperation watch: A new Peru–U.S. security agenda points to tighter border and prison infrastructure, biometric tools, and stronger specialized police units—raising new compliance and procurement demands for companies. High-profile violence probe: A Peruvian lawyer, Helenn Giulianna Silva Padilla, was shot at close range in La Libertad; a viral video is driving online speculation about organized-crime links, but authorities have not confirmed motives. Archaeology in Lima: At Huaca Pucllana, researchers uncovered about 1,400-year-old human remains likely placed as an offering during ritual closure of an underground water channel, plus a ceramic snake head. El Niño pressure on Peru’s food and water: A “super El Niño” is expected to intensify through 2027, with forecasts warning of impacts on rainfall, fisheries, and food prices across the region. Pope Leo XIV and Pachamama ritual controversy: Vatican-linked bishops participated in a Pachamama ritual ahead of the Pope’s Peru visit, reigniting debate over how indigenous practices are handled in Church settings. Peru’s El Niño response and emergency planning: Peru is preparing for severe heat and rain, including emergency measures in affected regions and coordination by ministers.

Machu Picchu Tourism Rules: Peru is launching a new carrying-capacity study to better regulate visitor flows at the historic sanctuary, aiming to balance tourism with heritage protection. Flood Emergency in Peru: The government declared an emergency in parts of Lima and eight regions due to severe flooding, with measures announced to help affected communities and improve response capacity. El Niño Alarm: Meteorologists and climate agencies warn El Niño is likely to intensify into late 2026, raising the risk of very strong warming that could drive major weather impacts across Peru and the region. Agriculture Export Win: Peru secured access for fresh blueberries to Egypt after technical negotiations, expanding the fruit’s reach to 76 markets. Mining & Energy Moves: Latin Metals and Minsur agreed terms for the Lacsha Copper Project in Lima Department, while PPX Mining received environmental approval for a 10,315-metre drill program at its Igor concession. Public Safety & Violence: Separate reports from Peru’s region highlight ongoing concerns about security and violence in schools, as authorities investigate incidents and debate how prevention should work.

Flood Emergency in Peru: President Keiko Fujimori declared a state of emergency in parts of Lima and multiple regions after heavy rains caused traffic disruptions, drainage overloads, home damage, and evacuations, with Defense Minister Rafael Belaunde set to monitor Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna and Agrarian Development and Irrigation Minister Marco Vinelli handling central areas. Broadband Push for Ayacucho: Gilat Perú signed a $14 million deal with Ayacucho’s regional government to expand fiber-optic broadband under the Works for Taxes program, targeting 273 public institutions (schools and health centers) across 109 localities, with delivery expected in 18 months. Peru’s Pope Visit Prep: Peru’s government and the Catholic Church will hold a first formal coordination meeting to prepare for Pope Leo XIV’s Argentina visit, including protocol and pastoral activities across Buenos Aires, Luján and Córdoba. Security Crackdown on Prisons: Defense Minister Rafael Belaúnde Llosa said the Armed Forces will take perimeter control of prisons, add surveillance systems including drones, and tighten entry controls as part of the fight against “citizen insecurity.” Energy Transition Update: Statkraft Peru selected Vestas for the 72 MW Emma Wind Farm in Piura, with turbine delivery in 2027 and commissioning in 2028.

El Niño Rains Response: Peru’s President Fujimori says ministers will fan out to Lima’s rain-hit districts and central/southern regions, with possible state-of-emergency declarations as DANA brings heavy precipitation and active ravines. Prison Security Overhaul: Defense Minister Rafael Belaúnde Llosa says the Armed Forces will take perimeter control of prisons, add drones and scanning, and block cell signals—ending any “decorative” role alongside police. Amazon Gold Crackdown: Peruvian Navy raids illegal gold mining in Madre de Dios, destroying equipment and highlighting mercury pollution that harms wildlife and Indigenous communities. Anchovy Shock to Aquaculture: Peru’s anchovy catch has collapsed under El Niño, with landings far below quota and fishing bans extended—raising fish-feed costs that could ripple into global farmed fish prices. Broadband for Ayacucho: Gilat Perú won a $14m fiber-optic project under Works for Taxes, targeting 273 public institutions across 109 localities. Market Watch—Copper: Analysts point to supply constraints and mine disruptions pushing copper prices higher as energy-transition demand grows. Agribusiness: Peru secured fresh blueberry access to Egypt, expanding exports to 76 markets. Sports & Culture: Lima hosted the final day of the Judo Grand Prix; meanwhile, Locarno spotlighted Peruvian-linked cinema in Meritxell Colell Aparicio’s “Far from the Trees.”

El Niño and fisheries: Peru is bracing for El Niño impacts after NASA flagged a drop in Pacific phytoplankton, with Peru’s Production Ministry suspending anchovy extraction in the north-central zone as the marine food chain faces strain. Disaster preparedness: Peru held a nationwide earthquake simulation after recent quakes in neighboring countries, testing an 8.8 quake scenario off Callao and tsunami warnings. Fuel and protests: Protests in Peru pushed President Fujimori to temporarily subsidize transport fuel following a record price surge. Indigenous rights and consent: Leila de Lima is seeking a congressional probe into alleged irregularities in Peru’s Free, Prior and Informed Consent process, including claims of token consultations and coercion. Security and transnational crime: Peru confirmed an agreement between the FBI and Peruvian police to confront transnational organized crime. Infrastructure and aviation: Lima Airport opened a new domestic departures lounge at Jorge Chávez, while Peru also moved to purchase 12 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets. Local culture: Peru’s Pope Leo XIV visit was declared a matter of national interest, with plans for a first apostolic trip to South America including stops in Peru.

Indigenous Rights Oversight: Leila de Lima filed a congressional probe into alleged irregularities in Peru’s Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process, citing claims of token consultations, forged signatures, coercion, and projects moving ahead despite Indigenous opposition. Disaster Preparedness: President Keiko Fujimori led Peru’s second national multi-hazard drill, simulating an 8.8 quake off Lima and Callao and urging citizens to be ready with emergency supplies and clear school evacuation plans. Economic Pulse: Peru’s economy grew 1.75% in June year-on-year, slowing from May as El Niño disrupted sectors like fishing. Church & Tourism: The Vatican announced Pope Leo XIV will visit 10 cities across Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November, with Peru framed as a key stop. Health Access: Dialysis services began at Lima Regional Hospital, reducing the need for patients in Region Two to travel for treatment. Culture & Public Safety: Ayacucho singer Soraya Nieto was attacked with a glass bottle during a performance, suffering facial injuries and calling out a lack of on-site help.