29 April 2011
The people of Peru have just been through round one of electing a new president and in June they will have their final say.
Both remaining candidates are courting voters with promises to tackle poverty yet are coming from left and right sides of the political spectrum, and commentators are raising concerns the contest could polarise the country.
All such elections are important, but this one is particularly so for a country where poverty issues remain to the fore despite significant economic growth in recent years.
Peru has seen a boom in exploitation of gold, iron, copper and other minerals, but the dividends of this wealth are not being experienced by all, with 51 per cent of the population living below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.
Alfonso Wieland, of Tearfund partner Paz y Esperanza (Peace and Hope), which undertakes reconciliation and human rights work in Peru, says for most poor people, things have not changed.
‘Peru has reduced the level of poverty over the last ten years by 20 per cent, but if you see how the government measures poverty, ie people earning US$1 a day, that reduction is nothing,’ says Alfonso. ‘Living on $2 a day is impossible, let alone $1.’
Crime concern
Healthcare and education services, particularly in rural regions, are key concerns, as are the rights of indigenous communities living in areas that commercial interests wish to exploit.
While poverty is one key issue facing presidential hopefuls, tackling street crime and urban violence is another.
At least one candidate, the daughter of disgraced ex-president Alberto Fujimori, is promising to tackle the criminals with the same gusto as her father did the Shining Path guerrilla movement. But there are concerns that combating crime could come at the price of violating the human rights of vulnerable people.
The church, including a growing body of evangelicals, will have an important voice in the elections, says Alfonso, but he warns it must be on its guard against being manipulated in exchange for its support.
• Please pray for the wisdom and discernment of Peruvians as they come to elect a new president on 5 June. Pray for the church to speak up for the voiceless.
• Pray for a new leader who is committed to tackling poverty, inequality and corruption.
• Pray for citizens to be more aware of their ‘surveillance’ role against any authoritarian power.
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