A Lost Opportunity For García

We believe that the outgoing Prime Minister Yehude Simon's failure to win the favour of Peru's regions ahead of the recent violent clashes between indigenous protestors and federal security forces, marks the end of a narrow window of opportunity for the Alan García administration to improve its image. Simon was perhaps the best-positioned candidate to mend ties with indigenous groups, having no personal affiliation with the ruling Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana (APRA). Before becoming prime minister in October, Simon was the left-wing governor of the northern Lambayeque province. His replacement, Javier Velásquez Quesquén, lacks Simon's popularity and will likely fail to instil public confidence.

To read the full article, please choose one of the following options: