Chilean air force invites Peru to witness military air maneuvers that has caused friction

Chile invites Peru to disputed military exercise

SANTIAGO, Chile — The Chilean air force said Tuesday it has invited its Peruvian counterpart to send observers to military maneuvers that Peru has interpreted as threatening and wants canceled.

The air exercise is set for late October in an area of northern Chile near Peru and is to include participation by the air forces of the United States, France, Brazil and Argentina.

“The government has complete control of the maneuvers over solely Chilean territory. To show our transparency in the matter, the Chilean air force has invited the air force of Peru to send inspectors to witness these maneuvers,” Chilean Defense Minister Francisco Vidal said.

Peru’s defense secretary, Rafael Rey, called earlier this month for Chile to suspend the exercise “to avoid misinterpretations.”

Peruvian leaders have expressed concern over the maneuvers because the “story line” involves a military clash with a fictitious country that refuses to abide by international treaties. Peru refuses to recognize maritime borders with Chile.

Gen. Richard Ortega, comander-in-chief of the Chilean air force, said the invitation was extended to Peru to avoid this type of friction.

Tension between Chile and Peru has grown since the beginning of the year, when Peru announced it take the border dispute to the International Court of Justice.