The early 1990s marked a critical turning point in the relationship between the United States and Peru. Prior to the election of Albert Fujimori in 1990, the relationship between governments had been contentious. Fujimori, however, sought to work together with the United States regarding issues such as security threats, free-market reform and narcotics control. Yet even with this new spirit of cooperation, the two governments still clashed over international standards of democracy and human rights at a time when most Latin American countries were much more democratic. This work traces the relationship between the two countries from 1990-2000, examining political and military issues, including drug trafficking, guerrillas, human rights violations and the US role in the 1995 war between Peru and Ecuador.

Reviews the 1968 coup d'etat in Peru and the seizure of International Petroleum Co. property by the ruling junta.

Tracking their relations since the early nineteenth century, Clayton tells of major players like railroad entrepreneur Henry Meiggs and industrialist William Grace; of the role of American firms like Cerro de Pasco and International Petroleum; and of the height of U.S. influence in the 1920s under the leadership of Peruvian president Augusto B. Leguia.