Puno’s regional president pushes referendums for more independence from Peru’s central government

Puno’s regional president appears poised for a new round of confrontation with Peru’s central government after his council passed legislation he hopes to use to hold referendums challenging Peru’s free trade agreement with the United States and questioning the Constitution. “The population has the right to express itself on political issues and the economy, for [...]

Peru as the next domino in Chavez’s oily socialist plot: How the Wall Street Journal blew the story

By Rick Vecchio ~ The decision last week by the European Parliament to reject inclusion of Peru’s Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement on its list of known terrorist groups has reverberated through Peru with hardly any notice taken by English language news media — with one very notable exception: The Wall Street Journal. And boy, did [...]

President of Puno region gripped by criticism and criminal allegations

The walls are starting to close in from all sides on Hernán Fuentes, the outspoken leftist regional president of Puno. In an attempt to deflect mounting political hostility, Fuentes charges he is the victim of political persecution by President Alan Garcia’s conservative government. But with even his own brother adding his voice to the cacophony [...]

President of Puno region retracts asylum statements

The regional president of Peru’s southern Puno Department, Hernán Fuentes, was considering seeking asylum in  Venezuela or Bolivia for what he calls political persecution by the central government, but he retracted the idea almost as soon as Peruvian media reported his comments. Fuentes is a strong supporter of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, or [...]

Congress approves investigation of ALBA cultural centers

By Ryan Dube Congress voted unanimously Wednesday to investigate the functions, organization and financing of cultural centers that espouse the leftist ideology of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to determine if the charismatic former paratrooper is using his oil riches to expand his political movement into Peru. The motion was presented by Congress’ National Defense Commission [...]

Subcommittee to recommend investigation of ALBA cultural centers

Legislators conducting a preliminary investigation into the financing of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas, ALBA, cultural centers will reportedly recommend to Congress a larger probe to determine the influence of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in Peru’s internal affairs. The congressional subcommittee’s head, lawmaker Rolando Souza, will request Congress’ Foreign Relations Commission create an investigative [...]

Commercial flights to Cusco and train service to Machu Picchu suspended ahead of protests

A 48-hour strike in Cusco has caused authorities to temporarily suspend commercial flights to the city and train services to Machu Picchu, the ancient citadel of the Incas and Peru’s top tourist attraction. The Peruvian Corporation of Airports and Commercial Aviation, Corpac, suspended commercial flights to the city’s Alejandro Velasco Astete airport after 10 a.m. [...]