Foreign policy of the Ollanta Humala administration

His first visit as president-elect was to Brazil. Following a meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff he said though the situation in Peru and Brazil is different, both countries' plan was similar along the lines of economic growth and prudent macroeconomic management. He added that: "We are pleased with this meeting. Brazil is an important strategic partner for Peru. Brazil is a successful model of economic growth." He then left for Paraguay where he met President Fernando Lugo, following which he planned to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Chile.[8]

Following a meeting in 2006 with Bolivian President Evo Morales in Copacabana on the Bolivian border with Peru, in which Humala stated that he stood in "solidarity with the historical and legitimate demand of the Bolivian Republic," after his electoral victory in 2011 he went back to Bolivia and made calls for the resurrection of the Peru–Bolivian Confederation.[9] Bolivian Communications Minister Ivan Canelas announced that he would meet Morales and discuss Bolivia's maritime claim against Chile (for which Peru expressed tacit support). Humala also added that he had "a widely shared vision of integration [with Morales]. For me, it's an important meeting, [Bolivia] is an Aymara and sister nation." (However Peru's large indigenous population is mostly Quechua)[10]

Humala also visited Colombia where he met one of the only two right-wing president's left in South America, Juan Manuel Santos. The two leaders of talked integration projects between Colombia and Peru.[11]

During a visit to Washington, D.C. Humala also met Organization of American States' Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza in which he said Peru intends to work towards greater regional integration.[9] During the same tour he also met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Washington, D.C. During the meeting US President Barack Obama made a surprise appearance to meet Humala, a visit that was appreciated by the latter. Obama spoke of the importance of "sound market-based economic policies with efforts to increase economic and social inclusion."[12] Peruvian ambassador Luis Valdivieso said that the visit was an "extraordinary step" in starting relations at the highest level between the Humala government and the United States.[13]

During his postponed trip to Venezuela, Humala was personally welcomed by Chavez at Miraflores Palace. He reiterated calls for regional integration saying "As 200 years ago, when we fought colonialism, today we have common enemies like poverty, inequalities, drug trafficking and so many threats against our countries. I have come as a friend and a brother; and this brotherhood leads us to a similar future." He also wished Chavez a recovery from his cancer treatment: "We are giving you support, please count on our forces and the prayers of the Peruvian people, who want your recovery because you have a mission to accomplish." Humala also paid a visit to Simón Bolívar's birthplace house and met with officials at the headquarters of the Corporacion Andina de Fomento.

He was then due to travel to Mexico on 18 July.[14] In meeting President Felipe Calderón at Palace Los Pinos[15] he said that "With Mexico, after July 28, we are going to improve relations that already are excellent. We want to improve commercial exchange even more so" and "strengthen relations in the area of education."[16] They also discussed the general strengthening of Mexico-Peru relations.[17] After Mexico he visited Cuba, a move that Granma quoted Humala as saying that he had come to visit a "sister" country and to share an "open agenda" with President Raul Castro.[18] He also met leftist political icon and Cuban commander-in-chief Fidel Castro. The two leaders talked of the "happy atmosphere" as well as the "complicated situation in Latin America." His talks with Raul Castro focused on Cuba-Peru relations and the "need" to enhance education via Cuba's "Yes I Can" educational programme. In doing so he cited Cuba's success in contributing to the eradication of illiteracy in countries such as Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Ecuador.[19]

His inauguration on 28 July was attended by regional leaders. Foreign dignitaries such as Colombia's Juan Manuel Santos were scheduled to attend the event,[20] along with Brazil's Dilma Rousseff,[21] Uruguay's José Mujica,[22] Panama's Ricardo Martinelli,[23] (and his wife First Lady Marta Linares de Martinelli),[24] Argentina's Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Chile's Sebastián Piñera, Ecuador's Rafael Correa,[25] Bolivia's Evo Morales, Guatemala's Álvaro Colom, Honduras’ Porfirio Lobo,[26] South Africa's Jacob Zuma[27] and Georgia's Mikheil Saakashvili.[28] They would also be joined by Cuban First Vice President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura and his delegation,[29] Spain's crown prince Felipe, Prince of Asturias,[30] Secretary-general of the Organization of American States Jose Miguel Insulza, the U.S. ambassador,[25] the brother of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Lee Sang-deuk of the incumbent Grand National Party[31] and Chinese President Hu Jintao's special envoy, Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu.[32]

The new Foreign Minister Rafael Roncagliolo met his Chilean counterpart Alfredo Moreno Charme prior to taking office. Following the meeting he said that Moreno was "a concerned person, who has an attitude of dialogue and does not encourage unnecessary antagonism" and added that in regards to the Chilean–Peruvian maritime dispute "by going to the Hague, what we are looking for is peaceful understanding, avoid lawsuits and verbal arguments. Peru has taken the position of a modern civilized nation to go to court. Resolve conflicts by means of right reason, not force." However he also commented on Chilean military spending vis-a-vis its neighbours: "When a country develops a quite disproportionate military capacity compared to their neighbours, others are right to worry. That is the situation we face. Yes, we should worry. Chile's military spending is disproportionate to the neighbours. That is why Peru, in UNASUR is promoting transparency and a reduction of military spending. There are more important things you must invest in Latin America. All countries must have a credible military defense, and Peru has not maintained one like this."[34]

Prior to Humala's visit to Bolivia in his pre-inauguration Pan-Americas tour, Peru agreed to cede territory claimed by Bolivia against Chile so as to facilitate resolution of the maritime claim. The 1929 Peace and Friendship treaty, which formalised relations between the three states following the War of the Pacific, requires Peru's "prior agreement" to pursue further negotiations for Chile to cede former Peruvian territory to a third party and settle the conflict.[10]