Overview
- The State Department’s Western Hemisphere bureau said Peru could be powerless to oversee Chancay and cautioned that “cheap Chinese money costs sovereignty.”
- A Jan. 29 lower-court injunction ordered authorities to abstain from regulation, supervision, oversight and sanctions at the terminal, distinguishing it from state‑concession ports because it is privately financed and operates under administrative authorization.
- The decision effectively excludes Ositran from comprehensive regulation while leaving other state entities, including police, customs and environmental agencies, with certain oversight roles.
- Cosco Shipping and China’s foreign ministry rejected the U.S. claims, asserting the port remains under Peruvian jurisdiction and subject to national laws.
- Ositran chief Verónica Zambrano said the agency will appeal, and Peru’s Cabinet signaled it will use legal remedies to preserve supervision while defending private investment.