Peru's interim ​President Jose Maria Balcazar announced that the country would postpone the purchase of 24 F-16 Block 70 aircraft from U.S. company Lockheed Martin until the next administration ​takes office in July, La Republica reported on April 22. The move prompted the resignation of Peru's foreign affairs and defense ministers.

The crisis unfolded after Balcazar suspended a ceremony for the contract signing between the government of Peru and Lockheed Martin on April 17, which prompted U.S. Ambassador to Peru Bernie Navarro to post on X a warning to those who negotiate in bad faith or undermine U.S. interests. The negotiations for the purchase began under former President Dina Boluarte (impeached in October 2025) and continued under Jose Jeri (impeached in February 2026). The outgoing Cabinet members claim Balcazar lied when he said the aircraft purchase agreements had not been signed, while the interim president said his statements have been misrepresented and that he would leave the decision to an elected administration, since he is in office on an interim basis. Despite that, Peru has made the first payment for the $3.5 billion deal.