PERU: Terrorism?

Elected politicians often disappoint. The rosy dawn is followed by storms. So it was in Spain following the coming of the Republic in 1931. The Weimar Republic failed. Hitler was elected. What about Peru? The election of Alejandro Toledo was supposed to put an end to the corruption represented by Vladimiro Montesinos. Toledo, of very humble origin, would understand the people and govern like one of them. The appeal of the revolutionaries would fade away.

The rosy dawn is over. There have been riots in many parts of Peru. Opposition politicians charged that Toledo was the highest paid president in Latin America, earning $18,000 monthly. (I have not checked the figure). Toledo did not deny it , and he did not offer to reduce it. He weakly said he was trying to raise wages. The public was unconvinced. What comes next? A return to terrorism?

Ronald Hilton - 10/1/01