By José A. Quevedo
The Mexican Air Force did not attend Exercise Cooperation IX-Royal, which took place in Lima, Republic of Peru, from May 8 to 19, 2023.
The Air Force of the Republic of Peru invited the Mexican Ministry of National Defense last March so that, within the framework of the System of Cooperation between American Air Forces (Sicofaa), flight personnel could participate in these exercises.
But something happened because as delegations from participating countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and the United States, among others, arrived, the Mexican delegation did not come.
It is not known if there is any official comment from the Armed Forces of the two countries.
All this happened while the President of Mexico pointed out that commercial and diplomatic relations with Peru are on hold as long as the current President, Dina Boluarte, remains in power.
He also reiterated that he would not hand over the pro tempore presidency of the Pacific Alliance to the Peruvian president.
EXERCISES TO JOIN EFFORTS AND OBJECTIVES
Exercise IX-Real Cooperation is a military event developed by the air forces belonging to the System of Cooperation among American Air Forces (Sicofaa).
The objective is to train the different air forces in humanitarian aid by exercising procedures for planning, execution, and control of operations in disaster situations.
It also aimed to promote the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and training to strengthen the capabilities of the participating Air Forces since a natural disaster was simulated to materialize civil protection and humanitarian assistance operations, something in which the armed forces are a reference in the region.
On May 30, the Plenary of the Mexican Senate authorized, with 76 votes in favor, the departure of Mexican Air Force personnel from the country’s borders to participate in Exercise Cooperation IX-Royal.
The purpose was to promote the culture and image of Mexico in the international community and to contribute to the activities that will be carried out to strengthen the relations of friendship and fraternity with the Air Forces and their equivalents of the different countries that make up the American continent.
The Mexican delegation would comprise four chiefs, five officers, and two troops for 11 elements.
The delegation would attend without weapons and be transported aboard a C-295 aircraft of the Mexican Air Force.
Their departure was scheduled for May 6, 2023, and their return for May 20, 2023.
With this absence, it has lost the opportunity to strengthen its capabilities with its peers in the region due to a political dispute.
With information from Infodefensa
News Peru, English news Peru, System of Cooperation between American Air Forces (Sicofaa)