Good Omen: Castillo Manages to Unite the Peruvian Left

It couldn´t be better, taking into account the ancestral, traditional, and detestable division of the groups that are said to be on the left, the presidential candidacy of Pedro Castillo managed to unite the progressive entities of Peru to try to defeat Fujimori in the coming elections of June 6^th.

The parties of the left seek a change, as well as successfully confront a candidate like Keiko Fujimori, supported by political enemies of the right who want to prevent the rise of a president who could endanger their virtually eternal privileges.

Surprised, the majority media at the service of the oligarchy, recognized the suddenness of the union for the second round of a left of different shades that will try to promote a "government of change", led by the professor and trade unionist Pedro Castillo, and defeat the right-wing daughter and political heir of the imprisoned ex-dictator Alberto Fujimori.

The Peru Libre party, which defines itself as Marxist-Leninist and postulates Castillo's candidacy, and the progressive coalition Together for Peru, which in the first round had Verónica Mendoza as its candidate, have signed a political pact to support Castillo's candidacy, which is also the basis for a government alliance in case the candidate of the left wins the elections. Castillo and Mendoza have defined this agreement as an alliance "for the refounding of the country."

The main focus of this agreement are to face the serious health crisis caused by the pandemic, ensuring universal and free vaccination and improving precarious health services; reactivate the economy by changing the neoliberal model imposed three decades ago by the Fujimori dictatorship; prioritize the fight against corruption, widespread among the political class; and re-found the State to guarantee rights and equality for all. They also propose to change the Constitution inherited from the Fujimori regime, which reduces the State to a subsidiary role of private activity.

Castillo has said that this agreement is "a commitment to the neediest families." “We are on the other side of those who defend the pseudo-democracy, a Constitution equal to the size and weight of the great oligarchy, of those who always managed the State. This is the time to embrace this cause to re-found homeland, ”said the leftist candidate, speaking alongside Verónica Mendoza, whom he thanked for her support.

Mendoza, who obtained 7.8% in the first round, pointed out that the commitment made was "to work together and achieve a government of change led by Professor Pedro Castillo." "The victory of Professor Castillo is not at stake, but we have the historical responsibility of putting a brake on authoritarianism, the mafia, and the past," said the former presidential candidate, referring to a possible restoration of the Fujimori regime of the 90´s , characterized by authoritarianism, human rights violations, and corruption.

SURVEY

According to a poll published on Friday, Castillo is moving forward, but the lead with his rival has been reduced in a week from ten to five points. Examiner Datan gives Castillo 41% and Keiko 36%. This result has thrilled the right wing. However, this latest poll does not measure the impact of Castillo's recent agreement with Juntos por el Perú that unifies the left and may have a broader effect than the sum of the percentages of both in the first round, nor the statement of the candidate of Peru Libre in defence of democracy.

After the debate at a square in the Andean province of Chota, candidates could meet again in a prison. Castillo challenged Keiko to debate in the Lima women's prison. Sarcastic, said that since he had been a local in Chota, where he was born and lives, now it was Keiko's turn to be local and proposed the Santa Mónica prison, where the Fujimori politician, prosecuted for money laundering, criminal organization, and obstruction of justice remained for several months. Keiko, eager to debate in an attempt to reverse her disadvantage, agreed to do so at the prison gate. But, finally, it will be in Arequipa, on May 30^th.

However, the struggle won´t be easy for progressive forces, taking into account that since colonial times the bastion of reaction and conservatism, Lima, has resisted change, since the neoliberal model worked, not for the great majorities, but to those who live in "modern Lima".

The upper and middle layers of the capital are not shy about imposing terror on the lower layers and thus counteract the provinces and keep under their thumb the original population, hence the need for total firmness to reverse a long-lasting situation.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff