Executive Summary
- Anti-Terrorism: Authorities captured 30 members of the Tren de Aragua criminal group and rescued 126 human trafficking victims.
- Record Seizures: Operations yielded the largest seizures in Peru’s history of mercury (4 tons) and shark fins (9.3 tons).
- Counternarcotics: Joint forces seized 29.7 metric tons of cocaine and destroyed 1,124 drug laboratories.
- Economic Impact: U.S. exports to Peru topped $9 billion, with significant cooperation in agricultural trade.
The U.S. Embassy in Peru released its 2025 “Year in Review” report on January 2, 2026, highlighting significant strides in bilateral security, counternarcotics operations, and economic trade. According to the U.S. Mission in Lima, collaborative efforts between U.S. federal agencies and the Peruvian National Police (PNP) resulted in major transnational crime disruptions, including the arrest of alleged terrorists and record-breaking environmental seizures.
In the sector of national security, the report indicates that 30 members of the Tren de Aragua transnational criminal organization were captured by the PNP with support from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Lima. Additionally, joint operations involving the U.S. Secret Service led to the seizure of $24 million in counterfeit currency during the fiscal year. Authorities also reported the rescue of 126 victims of human trafficking and child exploitation through coordinated efforts between HSI and local law enforcement.
Environmental protection enforcement yielded historic results. The report notes that Peruvian tax authority SUNAT, supported by HSI and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), seized four tons of mercury intended for illegal gold mining—the largest such seizure in Peru’s history. Furthermore, officials confiscated 9.3 tons of shark fins valued at over $11 million, marking the country’s largest wildlife trafficking seizure to date, with assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Counternarcotics operations conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), INL, and Peruvian agencies resulted in the seizure of 29.7 metric tons of cocaine and 79 million kilograms of illicit chemical inputs. The report states that 1,124 cocaine laboratories were destroyed and 36,456 hectares of illicit coca were eradicated. To bolster these efforts, the United States delivered six UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to modernize Peru’s air capabilities.
Economically, U.S. exports to the Peruvian market exceeded $9 billion between January and September 2025. The report also highlighted the repatriation of over 150 cultural artifacts and the participation of more than 5,000 Peruvians in U.S. academic programs.
Regional Security and Strategic Implications
The extensive data released by the embassy underscores the strategic reliance on joint interagency operations to combat transnational organized crime in South America. The operational successes, particularly in dismantling logistical nodes for environmental crime and narcotics trafficking, indicate a deepening integration of U.S. federal law enforcement resources within the region to address cross-border threats ahead of the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2026. It is important to note that all individuals arrested or charged in connection with these operations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
