US sends hospital ship to Peru for El Nino

The United States will send the military hospital ship USNS Comfort to Peru's northern Pacific coast in February 2027 to help Peru cope with the effects of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation climate phenomenon, as announced by U.S. Ambassador to Peru Bernie Navarro. The announcement follows a meeting between Navarro and Peruvian Foreign Minister Carlos Espa in Miami, where a roadmap for cooperation was developed, including equipment, expertise, and overflights to prevent, mitigate, and respond to the phenomenon. The amount of U.S. aid was not disclosed. Espa also met with U.S. business leaders interested in investing in mining and infrastructure projects. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation phenomenon, a warming of the Pacific Ocean near the equator, could soon equal or surpass the 1997 event, which caused damage from heat waves, heavy rains, floods, and forest fires. Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori, who took office on July 28, has prioritized addressing the potentially catastrophic climate phenomenon. The U.S. has also increased humanitarian aid for earthquakes in Colombia and Venezuela and is ramping up joint military operations in the region.