LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peruvian interim President José María Balcázar has deferred the decision to purchase 24 fighter jets valued at $3.5 billion to his successor who will emerge after a runoff in the country's presidential election.
Balcázar announced the decision in an interview with RPP local radio station on Friday evening. His transitional government, which began in February, is set to end in July. Peru is holding a presidential runoff on June 7.
The interim leader said the new government will have “full legitimacy to decide” whether to acquire the F-16 Block 70 fighter jets manufactured by the United States-based Lockheed Martin.
“For us to commit such a large sum of money to the incoming government would be a poor practice for a transitional government,” Balcázar said.
Peruvians voted for president on Sunday. No candidate received enough support to win outright, and electoral authorities have not yet announced the two candidates who will advance to the runoff contest as they continue to count votes.
Conservative former congresswoman Keiko Fujimori has assured her spot in June’s ballot after taking the top slot among 35 presidential hopefuls. But the tight race for second and third place could take weeks to finalize.
The runoff winner will take office on July 28.
In 2024, the government of President Dina Boluarte announced that Peru would allocate $3.5 billion to the purchase of 24 fighter jets through domestic borrowing of $2 billion in 2025 and $1.5 billion in 2026. Among the companies that submitted bids were, in addition to Lockheed Martin, the Swedish Saab and the French Dassault Aviation.
Peru’s Congress in February elected Balcázar as the country’s eighth president in a decade, replacing another interim leader who was ousted the previous day over corruption allegations just four months into his term.
The revolving-door presidency in the Andean nation reflects a political crisis fueled by a lack of legislative majorities for leaders. Lawmakers have frequently used a broad interpretation of a constitutional article regarding “permanent moral incapacity” to remove sitting presidents.
Voters line up outside a polling station during general elections in Lima, Peru, Sunday, April 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Guadalupe Pardo)
BENGALURU, India (AP) — David Miller made no mistake this time with his 22 runs in 10 balls taking Delhi Capitals to a six-wicket victory against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League on Saturday.
Tristan Stubbs scored 60 not out off 47 balls and Lokesh Rahul hit 57 off 34 to spearhead the chase and Delhi finished with 179-4 in 19.5 overs in a thrilling finish at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Miller had misjudged a final-over finish against Gujarat Titans earlier in April, but the undefeated South African made amends against Bengaluru.
With 15 needed off the last over, Miller hit two sixes and a four to take Delhi home with a ball to spare.
“I was disappointed the other night, but to get myself back in that position and get over the line, feels really good,” Miller said.
Phil Salt’s 63 off 38 balls had earlier helped Bengaluru to a below par 175-8, which resulted in his team's second loss of the season in five games. Bengaluru is second in the standings with eight points. Delhi is now fourth on six points with three wins in five games.
In the evening game at Hyderabad, Abhishek Sharma hit 59 off 22 balls as Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Chennai Super Kings by 10 runs.
Put into bat, Bengaluru reached 52 off 31 balls for the first wicket. It was a rare low score for Virat Kohli by his high standards — he made 19 off 13 balls.
Impact player Devdutt Padikkal (18) put on 47 off 29 balls with Salt, who scored his second half-century of the season and hit four fours and three sixes.
Delhi changed the game's momentum with a double blow halfway through the innings. Axar Patel (2-18 in three overs) dismissed Padikkal, while Kuldeep Yadav claimed Salt's wicket in the 11th over.
Tim David (26 off 17) provided some resistance but Delhi’s bowling stayed strong. Yadav finished with 2-32 and Lungi Ngidi took 2-39 in four overs.
In reply, Delhi lost Pathum Nissanka cheaply – out lbw to Bhuvneshwar Kumar for one.
Impact player Karun Nair (5) was also out caught off Kumar. The former India pacer took three early wickets and struck twice in the third over. Hard-hitting Sameer Rizvi was caught behind for two as Delhi dropped to 18-3 in 2.5 overs.
Rahul and Stubbs resisted with 69 off 44 balls for the fourth wicket. Playing on his home ground, Rahul led Delhi’s recovery with a second half-century of the season.
Krunal Pandya got the breakthrough when Rahul was caught by Kohli at the boundary in the 11th over.
Stubbs added another 47 off 34 with Patel, who scored 26 off 19 balls before retiring hurt with cramps.
Stubbs anchored the innings but Miller still had to take his team to victory, smashing 6-6-4 in the last over.
Sharma broke his own record to score the fastest 50 for Hyderabad. He had previously got there in 16 balls. On Saturday, he hit six fours and four sixes to reach 50 off 15 balls.
Travis Head made 23 as the openers put on 75 in 35 balls. Mukesh Choudhary struck twice, though, as Head and Ishan Kishan (0) were out off consecutive balls in the sixth over.
Heinrich Klaasen scored 59 off 36 balls – his third half-century of the season – and powered Hyderabad to 194-9 in 20 overs.
Chennai’s batting didn’t fire at all. Sanju Samson was out for 7, while opening partner Ruturaj Gaikwad fell for 19.
Sri Lanka’s Eshan Malinga picked 3-29 in four overs, while Nitish Reddy picked 2-31. Matthew Short (34) and Ayush Mhatre (30) were the only batters to reach 30.
Shivam Dube (21) and Jamie Overton (16) gave Chennai a chance, but it finished with 184-8, sliding to a fourth loss in six games.
It was Hyderabad’s third win in six games, now placed fourth, ahead of Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans on net run-rate. Chennai is seventh.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals in Bengaluru, India, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Delhi Capitals' KL Rahul plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals in Bengaluru, India, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Phil Salt celebrates his fifty runs during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals in Bengaluru, India, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
Delhi Capitals' David Miller plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals in Bengaluru, India, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
