Surprises of presidential campaign in Peru

January 1, 2006

The arrest in Chile of ex-president of Peru Alberto Fujimori seemed to relieve the pressure in presidential campaign and cleared the road to the candidate from conservative alliance National Unity Lourdes Flores. Until recently she has been leading in all the polls. In her speeches she called to “do away with populism” in Latin America and the politician with clear program should be elected but not the “messiah” promising “heavens in Earth”.

But the electorate has not heard her. The recent public opinion polls showed that more and more support among the Peruvians got the retired Lt Col Ollanta Humala who was encouraged by the success of the Venezuelan Hugo Chavez.

Ollanta Humala became the national hero when in 2000 along with his brother Antauro, also an officer, headed the military coup in the southern province of Peru. At that time the military could take over the complete town of miners under their control. They demanded resignation of the president Alberto Fujimori and arrest of the secret police ex-chief Vladimiro Montesinos. One month after the uprising the power of Fujimori came to an end. The new government amnestied the rebellious brothers.

However, brothers Humala did not reject the idea of founding an Indian state in the image of the Inca empire. They are constantly criticising the policy of the Peruvian authorities, and one year ago with weapons in hands, demanded resignation of president Alejandro Toledo. In some interviews brothers Humala directly call themselves as followers of “Bolivarian revolution” of the Venzuellan president Hugo Chavez.

Not long ago Ollanda Humala was officially registered as a candidate to presidency, and immediately, having gained 21.7% of supporting votes in the polls, left behind L. Flores!

Presidential elections in Peru will take place on April 9, 2006.

January 8, 2006:	Peruvian society has roughly reacted to visit of Humala to Venezuela
November 13, 2005:	Inconvenient Fujimori