Power and Loneliness

Edited by Ed Newman
2021-10-20 00:28:03

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Photo: Archivo/RHC

By Guillermo Alvarado

Since he took office less than a hundred days ago, Peru's President Pedro Castillo (pictured) has felt in his own flesh that, under certain circumstances, coming to power means a very great loneliness, even with respect to those who contributed to put him at the top.

Already in the first days of the electoral campaign, the rural professor from Cajamarca was convinced that the right wing would not give him a moment's respite, as indeed happened with the delay in giving the official results, which hindered an orderly transfer of the presidency.

What he may not have been prepared for, however, is that before reaching three months in the administration of that country, a part of the leadership of Peru Libre, the party that nominated him, not only abandoned him but is preparing to make his life impossible in Congress.

This is a serious situation that may bring severe consequences to the precarious balance that has been lived since July 28.

Rarely has it been seen in our region that the official party moves away in such a way when the promises made to the population, who voted not so much for a political formation, but for the possibility of transforming life for the majority, are still in the making.

Vladimir Cerrón, leader of Perú Libre, who could not participate in the elections because he was condemned for corruption, and who is now facing a new trial, accused Pedro Castillo of departing from the expected line and making a turn to the right with the new cabinet that should be approved soon.

It is somewhat strange, because in the new team there are figures from that party and from the left, starting with the proposed prime minister, Mirtha Vásquez, a progressive lawyer of much prestige, or Dina Boluarte, until recently considered very close to Cerrón.

Furthermore, the fact that Perú Libre has announced that it will not vote in favor of the new cabinet, will lead Castillo to seek arrangements with political forces of the center or even of the moderate right, in order to try to survive.

Everybody knows that, in that nation, having the Congress against is the easiest way for a president to be removed from office, because that has happened ad nauseam in very recent years.

What a pity that antagonistic personal positions jeopardize a project in which many people have placed their hopes, when they have not yet been able to begin to demonstrate their will to change whatever is necessary.

It will be very, very difficult for the left to prevail again over the dominant Peruvian right in new elections. War warned, should not kill soldiers. 


 



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