by Peter Koenig as an update to his initial article for The Saker Blog:
Peru had Presidential (run-off) elections on 6 June 2021 – the final result is still not published, even though the National Election Committee had finished its work and decided that, though with a razor thin margin, the socialist Pedro Castillo, primary school professor, from rural Cajamarca, won the election.
His opponent, the ultra-neoliberal Keiko Fujimori – yes, you are right – she is former President Fujimori’s daughter – her father is in prison for corruption and crimes on humanity (a 25 year sentence) – she, Keiko, is fighting tooth and nail to turn this election result around in her favor.
She had been freed from preventive prison while investigated for corruption, so she could run for President – a strange law, but apparently legit in Peru. Should she become President against all odds, she will be protected from prosecution due to government immunity. If not – as it looks to be the case now, she will be going back to prison, at least temporarily.
Coercion and corruption is strong in Peru.
Peter Koenig is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization.
The election is over and the numbers are in saying she LOST he attempt to gain the Presidency. Allowing her more Freedom is allowing to create chaos. Telesur News article today titled, “Peruvians To Mobolize in Support of Pedro Castillo” – winner of the Presidency. It’s time she Keiko return to her den – prison asap.
Yes. It sounds as if big trouble might be coming to Peru. Let’s hope the people gain permanent control of their heritage. Up here in “American” North America, (Canada), it’s good to hear some news from South America… good or bad. We, here in “Canasta”, get TWO versions of world news – the American or nothing at all.
It seems that the Japanese immigrants have a much higher IQ than the population of Peru. I cannot see how else these Japanese people should play such a prominent role in their politics.
Google says that the Japanese are only 1.4% of the Peruvian population. I guess they play a similar role to the Jews in the USA.
The Fujimori mafia clan does not represent the Japanese community. They represent the interests of the Peruvian comprador bourgeoisie, which is generally money, transnational and Western-oriented regardless of ethnicity/culture/race.
In truth, they sin against their own culture, given Shinto is closer to native American beliefs than to the West.
Not a new phenomena. Hitler wasnt German.
He was originally Austrian, born within sight of the German border at Braunau-am-Inn. After the 1938 Anschluss Austria was part of Germany.
What a silver lining !
Much appreciation on that update.
Thank you.
The Fujimori makes the japanese look bad worldwide.
Sadly, I probably might never understand why some people’s impressions of a certain ethnicity are colored by the actions of only a few people of that ethnicity. (something like what lyy says above)
That’s how history works.
People remember colorful impactful characters and make generalization based on them, not the everyday man.
The election here in Peru for a new president is a mess, should not be a mess. Pedro is officially 44,000 votes ahead of Keiko, by the government department that certifies the election results. Keiko is as corrupt as any politician can be. She represents the multinational corporations, and the local wealthy Peruvians. A common saying here in Peru is, everything goes to Lima, nothing ever comes back to the provinces . Pedro has the backing of the poor people in the provinces, also the population under 30 years of age. The younger group of the population, are very internet savvy and better educated . They understand the imbedded corruption in Peru, and they will not except Keiko becoming president. The poor masses of Peruvians are fed up watching billions of dollars in resources given away, while they suffer in absolute poverty. The present economy completely collapsed in 2020. It is starting to come back somewhat, but tourism has been crushed, and will stay that way until this Covid19 thing is done with. Tourism was about 1/3 of the Peruvian economy. Two days ago some retired military generals wrote letters to active military generals , asking them to intervene in the election, as in a military coup. Those retired generals are now in trouble, as the Peruvian president is going after the retired generals legally, for proposing such a thing. Basically the government is walking a delicate path between the wealthy folks and the poor masses and younger educated portion pf then population. the take away is if Pedro is denied the presidency, Peru will come apart with massive demonstrations . Pedro has solid backing from the teachers union, the truckers unions, the farmers coops, and dozens of other organizations. These groups have age old methods of bring the entire economy to a complete stop. They are already dirt poor, so closing everything down for months can happen very fast. Usually in these huge demonstrations, the general population supports them. No transportation, no trains, no planes, all roads blocked for months if necessary. Basically shelter in place until it is over. Usually the local populations get notice about 2 days before everything comes to a stop. Time to buy a few extra bags of rice, and a few cases of beer. I think it is very democratic method of dealing with the government . No one usually gets hurt, just nothing happens at all.
Peruvian independence was declared on July 28, 1821. This July 28 will be the bicentennial/200 year anniversary of the creation of Peru.
You can read this interesting analysis about Pedro Castillo https://elnuevosistemamundo.org/pedro-castillo-el-comunista-evangelista-del-siglo-xxi/