The United States will send a military hospital ship to Peru’s Pacific coast in February 2027 to aid in coping with the effects of the El Niño climate phenomenon, U.S. Ambassador to Peru Bernie Navarro announced Wednesday.
This deployment is part of a broader collaboration between the two countries to prepare for and respond to the event. Ambassador Navarro met with Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espá in Miami to discuss cooperation, including assistance in the form of equipment, expertise, and overflights. The specifics of the U.S. aid package were not disclosed.
Espá indicated that a roadmap for this cooperation has been developed. He also met with U.S. business leaders who expressed interest in investing in mining and infrastructure projects in Peru.
Navarro stated that the objective of the meeting was to understand Peru's needs and ensure a rapid response capability. He cited recent earthquake relief efforts in Colombia and Venezuela, noting that better coordination could have expedited aid delivery.
The hospital ship, USNS Comfort, previously visited Peru in 2018 and 2019. Its arrival in February 2027 is timed for when El Niño is expected to peak.
El Niño is characterized by the warming of the Pacific Ocean near the equator, which influences global weather patterns. Meteorologists suggest that the upcoming event could match or exceed the severity of the 1997 El Niño, which caused widespread damage through heat waves, heavy rains, floods, and forest fires.
Addressing the potential impacts of this climate phenomenon has been identified as a priority by Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, who took office on July 28.