Peru

On July 9th tens of thousands of workers and peasants took to the streets in Peru as part a national strike. The strike had been called to protest against the right wing economic policies of the government of Alan García.

On Wednesday July 11, Perú was paralised by a National Day of Struggle called by the General Confederation of Peruvian Workers (CGTP). These protests could mean the beginning of the end for the Alan García government, which could be overthrown by the mass movement, just as other governments in Ecuador, Bolivia and Argentina have been overthrown in recent years, as part of the revolutionary wave that is engulfing Latin America.

The recent election results in Peru and Colombia were hailed by the Latin American bourgeoisie and their imperialist backers as “anti-Chavez” victories. But if one looks more closely at the figures one sees that in these two countries there is a growing radicalisation to the left. Although a little delayed, they are part of the same process.

We are happy to announce the setting up of the website of the Peruvian El Militante (http://peru.elmilitante.org ), the journal of the Marxists of the Fuerza de Izquierda Socialista. The site has been running for some time and is now fully functional. We believe it will play an important role in bring the genuine ideas of Marxism to the workers and youth of Peru.

Following on from yesterday's article, Fred Weston, updates the situation as it is unfolding in Peru. At least one student has already been killed in clashes with the security forces, and the movement does not look at all as if it is prepared to back off.

Late Tuesday Alejandro Toledo, president of Peru, declared a 30-day state of emergency. This was the Peruvian government's response to growing social tension in the country. A wave of strikes has been sweeping the country over the past two weeks with more and more workers coming out.

After a week of protests and virtual uprising in the south of Peru, the government has backed down on its plans to privatise the water and electricity in the region.

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