Peru acquires 12 F-16 Block 70 aircraft, but the defense and foreign ministers resign.

Lockheed Martin Vice President, Mike Shoemaker, welcomed the Peruvian government's announcement to purchase 12 F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the modernization of the fighter fleet. Peruvian foreign and defense ministers resigned, contesting the decision of interim President José Maria Balcazar to postpone the purchase for his successor, who will be elected in June. The two officials emphasized that the contract had been signed with the approval of the authorities and must be honored. The Ministry of Economy has already transferred 462 million dollars to Lockheed Martin. The U.S. Embassy confirmed that a "technical signature" took place, and the American ambassador stated that this first batch will be followed by another 12 aircraft. Peru plans to renew its fleet with 24 next-generation fighter jets for 3.5 billion dollars, and political tensions are rising in the context of diplomatic instability.