After diplomatic stir, Peru voids permit allowing British frigate to dock in its port

In a display of “Latin American support for Argentina’s legitimate rights,” the Peruvian government has announced its decision to disallow the protocol visit of a British frigate scheduled to dock in a Peruvian port this week.

“This decision has been made to honour our commitment with the Unasur and a Latin American support for Argentina’s legitimate rights regarding the Malvinas, South Georgia and South Sandwich islands, and their surrounding maritime territories,” Peruvian Foreign Minister Rafael Roncagliolo said in a brief statement to news agencies.

The Peruvian press informed on Monday morning that last February 27th the Peruvian Congress had authorized the British frigate HMS Montrose to dock between next Thursday and next Monday on the El Callao naval base, located close to Lima.

In an Unasur summit which took place last November in Asunción, Perú signed a statement of support for Argentina’s claim and rejected the presence of British troops in the disputed region.