Peru

Latin America

Peru Political and Social Crisis

By Carlos Quintanilla

Peru is currently facing a serious political and social crisis in which almost 50% of the population wants President Alejandro Toledo to step down and for new elections to be held.

The Confederacion de Trabajadores del Peru (Confederation Workers of Peru, Peru's major trade union,) demonstrated in March during a national day of protest to demand that Toledo's government pay attention to social needs. This come in a series of popular protests in Per£ against privatization and other so-called free trade policies for which Toledo is being blamed.

Union led demonstrations are planned for the coming months all over the country, including a large mobilization in Lima, the capital, to urge profound changes in the official economic policy. They criticize the indigenous president for his lack of humility as well as his failure to deliver promised jobs and pay raises.

Union leaders demand the fulfillment of 20 proposals to better the living conditions of the majority of Peru's almost 30 million people, 60% of whom live in poverty and misery.

Toledo is facing his worst political crisis since he took office in July 2001. The President's Peru Posible party has lost credibility, according to Peru's leading newspaper El Comercio. Toledo has a 7% approval rating against an 85% disapproval rate.

A survey published recently by the Datum polling firm show that 49% of Peruvians now believe Toledo is responsible for his government's bad image, despite his having won the presidency with 60% support.

Toledo also faces huge protests from social movements seeking to get rid of him. These include teachers, health workers, transport workers and students.

Former Peruvian President, Alberto Fujimory, meanwhile, is calling for early elections. After ruling Peru for 10 years, Fujimory ran away to Japan a few years ago, trying to avoid his corruption scandal. Peruvian authorities have asked for his extradition, but Japan has not complied.

Media Forum:

Change-Links and Noticiero Pacifica, KPFK's Spanish language news, will hold a forum on Alternative media on Sunday, May 2 from 3 to 6 PM at 1522 S. Main Street in Santa Ana. John Johnson, editor of the progressive newspaper, Change-Links, will speak about Alternative media in the US. He will also talk about how Change-Links was created and its role in Southern California. Carlos Quintanilla and another speaker will talk about Noticiero Pacifica's role in the Latino community and, more generally, about Latino Alternative media.

Carlos Quintanilla produces and host KPFK's Spanish Language news program "Noticiero Pac¡fica", which is broadcast over 90.7 FM. Noticiero Pac¡fica is the only independent news program focusing on Latin Americans issues in the Los Angeles area. P. O. Box 761475 Los Angeles, CA 90076 E-mail: notipaci@hotmail.com