Peru is undergoing a geopolitical and economic transformation, positioning itself as Latin America’s primary Pacific trade hub. Through port expansions (Chancay, Callao, Paita, Pisco), military investments (South Korea’s naval collaboration), and strategic alliances (Brazil, China, and the U.S.), Peru is redefining its role in the regional economic and security landscape.

Applying Carl Schmitt’s framework of space and power1, Peru’s moves can be understood as a territorialization of economic sovereignty. The country is actively restructuring Latin America’s trade corridors, bypassing trade gatekeepers like Mexico and Chile. With Mexico weakened by U.S. tariffs threat, Peru could capture a greater share of South American exports to US and Asia, particularly Brazilian goods, consolidating a new Großraum (economic space), in the southamerican pacific coast, less dependent from U.S. control.

In addition, South Korea’s involvement in Peru’s naval industry2 strengthens Peru’s maritime sovereignty, ensuring trade routes remain secure and protected from foreign control. This counterbalances China’s heavy investment in Peru’s logistics sector, preventing the country from becoming a mere Chinese trade dependency3.

By expanding its military and economic reach, Peru is shifting from a passive regional actor to a proactive geopolitical force. Its trade policies follow Schmitt’s friend-enemy distinction, forming new alliances (Brazil, China, South Korea) while reducing Mexico’s influence in Latin American trade politics. Ultimately, Peru is not just integrating into global trade, it is actively shaping its own economic and security space, ensuring long-term sovereignty over regional supply chains and maritime routes.

References

  1. Schmitt, C. (1950). The Nomos of the Earth in the International Law of the Jus Publicum Europaeum (G. L. Ulmen, Trans.). Telos Press Publishing. ↩

  2. Naval News. (2025, January 10). HD Hyundai Heavy Industries commences shipbuilding project in Peru. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/01/hd-hyundai-heavy-industries-commences-shipbuilding-project-in-peru/ ↩

  3. Financial Times. (2024, November 15). South America’s ‘Made in China’ Megaport in Peru. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://www.ft.com/content/e6b74d70-91a7-4216-aadb-375c9343427b ↩