Peru OIFAA/DIFAA: Official UFO Research Office Founded (November 2001)
In November 2001, the Peruvian Air Force established the Oficina de Investigación de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos (OIFAA) — the Research Office for Anomalous Aerial Phenomena. For administrative reasons the office lay dormant from at least 2006, but in October 2013 the Air Force's Dirección de Intereses Aeroespaciales (DINAE) reopened it under the new name Departamento de Investigación de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos (DIFAA) — the Department for Investigation of Anomalous Aerial Phenomena.
DIFAA is supported by civilian experts including astronomers, sociologists, and archaeologists in its case investigations. According to lead investigator Marcos Barraza, the primary concern is not whether extraterrestrial life exists but rather national security — specifically the potential threat posed by unidentified objects operating in Peruvian airspace.
Background
In November 2001, Peru established OIFAA (Oficina de Investigación de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos), later renamed DIFAA (Dirección de Investigación de Fenómenos Aéreos Anómalos), as the country's official UFO research office under the Peruvian Air Force. The office was created in response to Peru's long history of military UAP encounters, including notable incidents involving Peruvian Air Force pilots.