The U.S. government warned that China’s financing and control over Peru’s Chancay port could erode Peru’s sovereignty over critical infrastructure, referencing a court ruling that limited Peru’s regulator Ositran from overseeing the port.

Cosco Shipping says the port remains under Peruvian authority and that monitoring responsibilities include police, environmental regulators, and customs, despite private ownership.

Chancay, north of Lima on Peru’s Pacific coast, is a Belt and Road flagship project operated by Cosco Shipping Ports, which is a majority shareholder, with Cosco denying any sovereignty concessions.

China’s Embassy in Washington did not provide a timely comment, and U.S. and regional analysts are weighing the strategic implications of the port project.

New U.S. Ambassador Bernie Navarro signaled a hard-line stance on China’s regional influence through social media.

The piece argues Washington seeks to control major Latin American assets and shape regional partnerships, challenging autonomy and development while urging respect for sovereignty and cooperation choices.

Ositran head Veronica Zambrano and port officials say the ruling leaves users unprotected and raises costs, though some dispute these effects.

China and Latin America view Chancay as a win-win project; opening has cut one-way shipping time to China to about 23 days and reduced logistics costs by over 20%.

Peru’s Foreign Ministry did not comment, and China’s Embassy in Peru did not respond to requests for comment.

Peruvian officials and experts criticized the U.S. statement as a distortion of regulatory jurisdiction and an infringement on sovereignty, viewing it as U.S. hegemonic anxiety in Latin America.

Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative underpins the project, with Chinese state-backed banks providing loans or guarantees for port infrastructure globally, raising concerns about debt and influence.

Port officials emphasize Chancay remains under several Peruvian state regulatory mechanisms beyond Ositran, with disputes to be resolved through existing channels and ongoing costs for users.