In a curious twist of international relations, Lima Mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga, a figure with deep financial ties to China, jetted over to California last month to oversee the handover of a batch of CalTrain locomotives donated by the Biden administration to Peru. This event, while seemingly a gesture of goodwill, raises eyebrows given Lopez Aliaga's rumored presidential ambitions for 2026 and his alleged alignment with Beijing's interests in South America.

Reports have surfaced detailing Lopez Aliaga’s connections to China through his company PeruRail, which has seen revenues soar to over $65 million annually, largely due to shipments from a Chinese-owned mining venture. Analysts suggest that China is strategically positioning Lopez Aliaga as a key ally, potentially grooming him for higher office to secure mineral resources and expand its influence in the region. Some have even dubbed him China’s man in Peru, a moniker that hints at the geopolitical chess game unfolding in South America.

China’s footprint in Peru is growing rapidly, with massive investments like the $1.3 billion Chancay deepwater port near Lima, inaugurated by President Xi Jinping himself in 2024. This port, heralded as part of China’s 21st-century maritime Silk Road, underscores Beijing’s long-term ambitions. Add to that China’s dominance in Lima’s electricity sector and infrastructure projects, and it’s clear why some experts see Lopez Aliaga as a pivotal figure in this expansion.

Meanwhile, the U.S. donation of trains, celebrated by former Secretary of State Antony Blinken as a symbol of strengthened ties, feels like a small counterweight to China’s heavyweight moves. Critics argue it’s a case of too little, too late, especially when the very trains may end up servicing Chinese-built rails and ports. As one observer put it, this donation might just be a scenic detour on a road China is already paving.

As Peru heads toward its 2026 elections, the question looms: will Lopez Aliaga’s ties to China shape the country’s future, or will U.S. efforts regain traction in this critical region? The stakes couldn’t be higher in this quiet but consequential power play.

South America News

China’s Man in Lima: Lopez Aliaga Collects U.S.-Donated Trains Amid Beijing’s Growing Influence