In the 1980s and 1990s, the fight against illegal drug traffic emerged as a matter of high priority in the bilateral relations between both countries. Additionally, a group of new bilateral issues broadened the Peruvian-U.S. agenda. Bruce St John indicates that in the 1990s the policy of the United States towards our country is defined as the 5 “d” (in Spanish): drugs, democracy, human rights (derechos humanos) , economic development and defense. “The Washington agenda for Peru was similar to its policies for other countries of the region. Nevertheless, the emphasis and the approach varied depending on the challenges and specific opportunities presented by each nation “(Bruce St John. Foreign Policy of Peru, 1999. p. 214.)
The importance of democracy and human rights, were increased after the rupture of the constitutional system in April of 1992. These matters became very sensible during the period 1990-2001.
With the recovery of the democracy in 2000, the bilateral relations with the United States were relaunched and the bilateral agenda was broadened, product of the coincidence of values and principles as democracy, rule of law, human rights and the respect for freedom.
One of the most relevant events in the relation between both countries was the visit to Peru in March, 2002 of the President of the United States, George W. Bush. This historic visit to our country undoubtedly constitutes the best demonstration of our excellent bilateral relations, and reflects our shared political and economic objectives and values. Said visit has conferred a greater dynamism to our relationship, and has established the basis to develop a new and substantive bilateral agenda.