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Friday, September 11, 2026

The File

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State Department · Friday, September 11, 2026

Rubio launches a space partnership in Lima; Peru joins the Shield of the Americas

The File desk · Sep. 11, 2026, 6:08 a.m. ET

Confirmed2 primary sources

Status

Confirmed from State Department releases dated Sept. 10, 2026: the launch and the joint press availability with President Keiko Fujimori. Full legal text of the partnership and of Shield membership was not fetched as a standalone treaty.
Marco Rubio’s South America trip ended in Peru with two concrete announcements. On Sept. 10 in Lima the State Department launched the — its flagship push to deepen civil and commercial space work with countries. The department said it is working with Congress on a $6.5 million rural satellite-internet project for schools, small businesses, community centers, and public institutions in southern Peru, subject to available funds. The same day President Keiko Fujimori announced that Peru will join the Shield of the Americas, a U.S.-led group she and Rubio described as a coalition of more than a dozen countries against transnational criminal and terrorist groups. In a joint press appearance, Rubio said the Shield exists so the United States can work inside partner countries rather than act alone. Fujimori said any foreign troop entry would still need a special congressional authorization under Peru’s constitution.
Marco Rubio’s South America trip ended in Peru with two concrete announcements.
On Sept. 10 in Lima the State Department launched the . It called the program its flagship push to deepen civil and commercial space work with countries.
The department said it is working with Congress on a $6.5 million rural satellite-internet project. The project would serve schools, small businesses, community centers, and public institutions in southern Peru, subject to available funds.
The same day President Keiko Fujimori said Peru will join the Shield of the Americas. She called it a U.S.-led coalition of more than 15 countries. Rubio, in the same appearance, said 14 countries are working together and that more may join.
Rubio said the Shield exists so the United States can work inside partner countries’ territory rather than act alone. Fujimori said any entry of foreign troops would still need a special authorization from Peru’s congress under the constitution.
Fujimori also said the hospital ship Comfort is planned for Peru’s coast in February 2027. The full legal text of the and of Shield membership was not fetched as a standalone treaty.
How we know

What is still unknown or disputed

  • Full legal text of the and the Shield membership instrument was not fetched as standalone treaties.
  • Exact Shield membership roster beyond “more than 15” and “14 countries” in the remarks is not independently listed in the Space Catalyst release.

Primary sources

Every claim in this story is drawn from the documents below. If a fetch failed, that is recorded on the card.

  1. Source 1

    Launch of the Space Catalyst Partnership to Secure American Commercial Space Superiority

    U.S. Department of State · September 10, 2026

    SCP launched in Lima as the Department’s flagship initiative with countries. $6.5 million rural connectivity project for southern Peru, subject to the availability of funds.

    https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/09/launch-of-the-space-catalyst-partnership-to-secure-american-commercial-space-superiority

  2. Source 2

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori at a Joint Press Availability

    U.S. Department of State · September 10, 2026

    Fujimori announces Peru will join Shield of the Americas, a coalition of more than 15 countries. Rubio: 14 countries working together. Troop entry requires special congressional authorization under Peru’s constitution. Comfort hospital ship planned February 2027.

    https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/09/secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-and-peruvian-president-keiko-fujimori-at-a-joint-press-availability