Cristina Fernandez visits Peru and apologizes for the illegal weapons sale

The President arrived in Lima on an official visit and gave an apology for arms sales by Argentina to Ecuador, while this country was at war with Peru in 1995.

The president traveled with the ministers of industry, Debora Giorgi, Defense Nilda Garre, of Labor, Carlos Tomada and Science, Lino Barañao in addition to governors, senators and deputies, and a mission of over 100 entrepreneurs.

“This is a visit of apology and redress historical institution that we had to us, the Argentines, and our Peruvian brothers,” said Cristina Fernandez.

By selling arms to Ecuador is still an ongoing case in which Carlos Saul Menem is accused, among other former officials. So Cristina Fernandez called for an apology for this aberrant act of corruption and national shame. “That operation was extremely damaging in the bilateral relationship,” the presidential spokesman said.

The illegal arms sales came in the midst of Argentina’s position on being the “guarantor of peace”. That is why for over 16 years a president of Argentina does not officially visit Peru. Fernando de la Rúa and Cristina Fernandez had done it, but only as part of presidential summits and not bilateral visits. The last president who had traveled to Lima in this condition was precisely Carlos Menem in 1994, after which the scandal of arms sales released.

The meeting between Cristina and the Peruvian president, Alan García, was developed as part of the Treaty on Strategic Partnership signed by both head of State.

Moreover, just after 7 pm, Garcia will decorate Cristina Kirchner with Order “The Sun of Peru”, the highest distinction granted by Peru.