Peru ministers quit over halted F-16 deal

Peru's Defense Minister and Foreign Minister have both resigned following Interim President José María Balcázar's decision to block the purchase of twenty-four F-16V 'Viper' fighter jets from American defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Balcazar had previously stated he would leave the decision to the winner of June's presidential runoff election. The F-16V would represent a major upgrade for the Peruvian Air Force, which currently relies on Mirage 2000P jets that entered service in the mid-1980s. The resignations highlight significant political divisions over Peru's military modernization and relations with the United States.