The left joins in Peru: Pedro Castillo adds e …

From Lima. Four weeks before the second round of June 6, the Peruvian left unites and reaches an agreement to promote a “government of change” led by the professor and trade unionist Pedro Castillo, which faces to the right Keiko Fujimori, daughter and political heiress of the imprisoned ex-dictator Alberto Fujimori. The Free Peru Party, which defines itself as Marxist-Leninist and postulates the candidacy of Castillo, and the progressive coalition Together for Peru, which in the first round had for candidate Veronika mendoza, Have signed a political pact to support Castillo’s candidacy, which is also the basis for a government alliance if the left-wing candidate wins the election. Castillo and Mendoza defined this agreement as an alliance “for the refoundation of the country”.

The central points of this agreement are to face the serious health crisis caused by the pandemic, by guaranteeing a universal and free vaccination and improving precarious health services; revive the economy by changing the neoliberal model imposed three decades ago by the dictatorship of Fujimori; prioritize the fight against corruption, widespread in the political class; Yes overhaul the state guarantee rights and equality for all. They also offer change the constitution inherited from the Fujimori regime, which reduces the state to a subsidiary role of private activity.

Castillo said the deal was “a commitment to families most in need”. “We are on the other side of those who defend the seudodemocracia, a Constitution at the height and weight of the great oligarchy, of those who have always managed the State. It’s time to embrace this cause for found the homeland“Said the leftist candidate, speaking alongside Verónika Mendoza, whom he thanked for her support.

Mendoza, who obtained 7.8 percent in the first round, said the pledge was “to work together and achieve a government of change led by Professor Pedro Castillo.” “Not only is Professor Castillo’s victory at stake, but we have the historic responsibility to put an end to authoritarianism, the Mafia and the past, ”said the former presidential candidate, referring to a possible restoration of the Fujimori regime of the 1990s, characterized by authoritarianism, human rights violations and corruption.

In this way, the left joins forces to defeat the far-right candidate, who has the support of various conservative groups who participated in the first round, from the business community and the mainstream media, who have launched an aggressive campaign and massive fear. and demolition against Castillo’s candidacy. They are trying to scare with the ghosts of Communism, Chavismo and Terrorism. In an old practice used by Fujimori against its rivals, Castillo is accused of being a terrorist, attributing it to alleged links with the political delays of the defeated Maoist armed group Brilliant trail, that he organized an internal war in the 80s and 90s, which the candidate has repeatedly denied. Million dollar campaign calls for ‘vote against communism’. This campaign against the candidacy of the left, disguised as a defense of democracy, hides the past, and the present, authoritarian and corrupt Fujimori to make his candidate a “defender of democracy”. A campaign that challenges memory.

After signing the pact with Verónika Mendoza, Professor Castillo issued a ten-point declaration in which he pledged to respect democracy and democracy. freedom of press. It is a response to this massive campaign which accuses him of having authoritarian intentions. In this declaration, he also undertakes not to renounce his proposals for change and specifies that he will implement them within the democratic institutional framework and “respectful of property”.

Defend the organs of human and family rights of victims of internal war -the victims are estimated at around 70,000- demanded from the two candidates a commitment in favor of human rights, lawsuits against repressors, reparations to victims and to comply with the decisions of international organizations on this issue. In his public declaration, Castillo undertakes to defend human rights and to respect international treaties on this issue signed by the country. Keiko said there was no internal war, only terrorism. While in government, Fujimori had a practice of human rights abuses and has long denied such violations and protected the repressors. Keiko announced that she would forgive her father, sentenced to 25 years for Crimes against humanity, which goes against the international treaties signed by the country which prohibit pardon for people found guilty of humanity.

Attacked by the establishment, this agreement with Together for Peru and its public commitment to respect democratic institutions, allows Castillo thwart the image of a certain loneliness, open his candidacy to other sectors and reduce the fears of voters who see him as an authoritarian risk, fears fueled by a millionaire campaign and also by certain statements by members of his party. Castillo is questioned about the lack of a technical team, a weak side of its candidacy, and this agreement with Ensemble pour le Pérou can give it those frameworks it would lack.

According to a poll released on Friday, Castillo is advancing, but the distance with his rival has been reduced in one week from ten to five points. Pollster Datum gives Castillo 41% and Keiko 36%. The left-wing candidate has lost three points and Fujimori is up two points, compared to a poll by the same pollster a week ago. This result excited the right wing. However, this latest poll does not measure the impact of Castillo’s recent agreement with Together for Peru which unites the left and it may have a larger effect than the sum of the percentages of the two in the first round, nor that of the declaration of the candidate of Peru Free in defense of democracy.

After the debate on a square in the Andean province of Chota, the candidates were able to find themselves in a prison. Castillo challenged Keiko to debate in the Lima Women’s Prison. Sarcastic, he said that since he was local to Chota, where he was born and lives, now it was Keiko’s turn to be local and he proposed San Mónica prison, where the fujimorista, Prosecuted for money laundering, criminal organization and obstruction of justice, she was imprisoned for several months. Keiko, eager to debate in an attempt to reverse her disadvantage, agreed to do so at the prison door.