Importance of the Peruvian presidential elections
I decided to write about the presidential elections in Peru, my home country, because Diane S, asked me to in a comment about another post. Sometime ago, (March 2005 and June 2006) I wrote posts regarding Latin American politics, however, I found that the topic was not of the interest of the regular crowd that reads my blog.
There has been a concern for the US that Latin America, specially South America, is electing left wing governments, with policies that are at odds with the USA's plan for the region. The most significant example is the government of Chavez in Venezuela. Currently, out of the 10 major countries in South America, 7 have left wing leaning governments. Of them, Venezuela's goverment is the most anti-US, as opposed to Chile's goverment which, in spite of being socialist, is at good terms with America. Only Peru, Colombia and Paraguay do not have leftist governments.
Peru had presidential elections on April 9th. The winner with about 30% of the vote was Ollanta Humala, a former commander of the Army who became notorious after he led an uprising in 2000 against the corrupt goverment of Alberto Fujimori. Unlike what many people believe (including an article in Wikipedia), he is not a left-leaning politician. He embraces a nationalist, populist ideology with elements of Indian supremacy ideas. The second place and third place in the elections have not been decided yet, because the count shows a very slim difference between the center-left politician Alan Garcia and the center-right candidate Lourdes Flores, who would be the preferred of the US. Ollanta Humala will compete against any of the 2 mentioned candidates in a run-off to be held in May.
I am open to questions regading the topic, hopefully some people find it interesting.
posted by Doctor Marco at 16:17
7 Comments:
I'm indebted to Marco for explaining the political situation in Peru to me, as the evening news was merely vague and ominous. I was also a bit concerned for his well-being if he were to discuss it with me, as I had (and have) no idea of the extent to which Peru monitors communications beyond the borders (though I suspect it is less than the U.S.), or the penalties one might incur for being critical of the Peruvian government.
Marco has told me he does not hesitate to speak his mind and is no stranger to tear gas (two things which are certain to gain my respect.)
Being a leftist, I'm naturally quite happy with most of South America's governments, though I have typical American fears about disappearances, secret prisons, and lack of civil rights. I've come to see the U.S. as a place to be concerned about these things, and such is a reflection of the times.
That the U.S. has plans for Latin America is such an example of American hubris that it sickens (but does not surprise) me. It is among my fondest hopes that someday the US will quit meddling in the politics of other countries.
Americans, as a people, tend to be largely ignorant of the politics of any country, often including our own. It is a small globe people, and we are all in this together.
Marco, thank you for taking the time to post this. I hope you will update it following th May run-off elections.
Diane S
I agree with you. he Us has plans for Latin America. It is not wrong, it is logical. The US is the most powerful country on Earth and it certainly does not want the neighbours working against it. I will definitely update you with respect to the run-off.
Igor:
Thanks for your nice words. I am also proud to be a friend of yours, one of the most rational minds that I know. I agree with your overall analysis of the major 3 candidates. Believe it or not, I am more scared of Humala than of Garcia. I think that whoever wins has to have our support to keep the economic growth that the country has enjoyed for the last 5 years.
Q:
The US has always said that it wants democracy, freedom, property rights and religious tolerance. However, the paradox is that all the dictatorships that the US supported caused disappearences, mass executions, torture, etc. Look at the Chilean example, look at the Argentinian example. Look at the Uruguayan example. Look at the Bolivian example. Look at the Paraguayan example. Peru, under Fujimori and Montesinos, a former CIA informant, was also supported by the US. All in the name of "anticommunism". I would say that the US placed the value of anticommunism as more important than democracy or human rights, throught the 60's, 70's, 80's, and early 90's. when the Cold War was over, then the value of anticommunism lost importance. and the US "improved its behavior".
I agree completely with Igor's quote:
"Although Peru is a third world country, and bears corruption and political chaos, it is a free country in which you can speak at will about the government and oppose to it without major problems. Actually, politics are a matter of continous debate among people and in the news, and there are no penalties at all no matter what is your opinion, at least no more than in other "free" countries, like the US itself."
South American countries have a small, but very well educated middle class, which is need for support for not sinking into poverty and from abuse from the even smaller but powerful upper class.
I do not know about the details of Polish politics, because Poland is not a mejor country in the world. However, in Peru you can easily find a debate amongst middle-class Peruvians about American politics, e.g, Bush, Kerry, immigration, drugs, Cold War, nuclear weapons, etc.
Marcos,
Thank you for this post. I don't know why your readers would not be interested in this subject. Of all the subjects you write about, what could be more appreciated than the one you may know best, your homeland. So, keep us informed about Peru. I for one would like to read more about the country, not just the politics, but the culture, the food, the people, etc. How often do Americans get to have friends, albeit cyber-friends, from Peru? Guárdelo el venir. Continúe con igual. Dénos más
Sherril
ps Marcos, I miss you at my blog...some on over.
Marcos,
Pick up a copy of the latest New Yorker magazine and open it just about exactly in the middle and you will find a pleasant surprise.
S's Myriad of Musings
For a long time, I've been thinking how this is a great opportunity for Latin America, as the US is so preoccupied in the Middle East, they are less able to meddle in South and Central American affairs. They still can (and do) of course, but it has to be less than, say, during the Reagan years.
I've been confused about conflicting information about Humala, whether or not he is this notorious general, whether or not he is actually leftist. I'm glad to read some clarification here.
Having just returned from Peru, I can say it seems clear from polls and the media there that Alan Garcia will win. But I don't really know what Alan - as he's always called - stands for, what he's about. If you wanted to post something about that, I'd be very interested.
Oops... I see that some other commenters have done that already. I'll read this now.
Post a Comment
<< Home