As the protest in Peru continues to defend its democracy, Bolivia has lent a hand to Peru’s political struggle. Former Bolivia’s President Evo Morales has lent a supporting hand to Peruvian people’s struggle for their identity. But, why is Morales supporting Peru? Is his support purely on the basis for the fellow Latin American country? Or he has ulterior motives?
In early January, Peru government denied entry to Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales entry into the country.
Why?
Peru’s government has accused Evo Morales of inciting violent protests in favour of the imprisoned former president Pedro Castillo. Protests have been going on in Peru after Pedro Castillo was removed as Peru’s President by the US-backed coup. He was impeached on the charges for attempting a coup when he dissolved the Congress.
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Eduardo Gamarra, a professor of political science and international relations at Florida International University says, “Peru’s Congress can remove the president and the president can dissolve the Congress, so technically, it is not a coup.” That’s quite an ambiguous constitution, which makes the country vulnerable to instability. It is not clear as to who has the real power: Congress or President? And, that is what Castillo wanted to change.
In five years, Peru has had six presidents. Its democratic state institutions were destroyed by the fascist Fujimori regime, supported by the US. Right-wing oligarchs that control the congress in rival factions frequently depose presidents who don’t advance their interests.
US ambassador Lisa Kenna had met Peru’s defense secretary a day before Castillo dissolved Congress. It also criticized Castillo’s decision in a tweet disregarding diplomatic protocol. Within hours, Peru’s military and police asked Congress to impeach Castillo and ordered to arrest him.
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It’s been two months and the protests have not stopped for a single day. Evo Morales has silently supported the Peru’s fight for democracy. The protests have been concentrated more in the Southern part of the country and in Puno. They are driven by indigenous communities of Peru.
The two main Indigenous populations in the southern region of Peru are Quechua and Aymara. The Quechua and Aymara of Peru are “first cousins” to the same ethnic groups in Bolivia. And in light of the ongoing protests, this is significant.
But, why is Evo Morales supporting the protests?
Más allá de desaciertos y aciertos, el hermano @PedroCastilloTe y su familia merecen un trato humanitario. Comprobamos una vez más que la oligarquía peruana y el imperio estadounidense no aceptan que líderes sindicales e indígenas lleguen al gobierno para trabajar por el pueblo
— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) December 7, 2022
Former Bolivian president Morales has long discussed “runasur,” the idea of bringing together Indigenous people in the Andes. The movement has undoubtedly been organised in the south of Peru by Bolivian allies, some of whom have been detained.
Also, not only the indigenous communities are fighting for democracy, but also to make Peru’s politics less Lima-centric. Castillo too, is a rural leader.
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Further, Evo Morales has himself been the victim of a US-backed coup in 2019. He had said, the coup shows “yet again that the Peruvian oligarchy and the US empire do not allow leaders from unions and Indigenous nations to rise to government to work for the people.”
After Evo Morales was removed, Jeanine Anez became the President who was quickly recognised by US. Same thing is happening in Peru now. Dina Boluarte, an obscure entity became President, who was recognised by US. Evo Morales knows what transpired in his country. He doesn’t want Peru to meet Bolivia’s fate. Thus, the US-backed government fears Morales for good reason. It can stop Morales from entering the country but it can’t stop the rage of indigenous communities against them.
