Peruvian left unites to support Pedro Castillo against Keiko Fujimori

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Peru’s moderate left, led by Verónika Mendoza, signed this Wednesday a pact to support ultra-left candidate Pedro Castillo in his Peruvian presidential runoff contest against authoritarian right-winger Keiko Fujimori.

Mendoza, who came sixth in the April 11 general elections as candidate of the leftist coalition Juntos por el Perú, signed an agreement with Castillo of “common points” that proposes to “re-found” Peru, with “sovereignty, justice, and equality”.

This was the first concrete support received by Castillo’s candidacy from outside forces, in contrast to Fujimori, who has already obtained the support of center and right-wing political groups, who consider her as the alternative to a rival whom they accuse of trying to establish a “communist” regime in their country.

A NEW SOCIAL PACT

In the midst of great media expectation, Castillo and Mendoza affirmed that Peru “is going through a deep and serious crisis that overwhelms” its people. For this reason, they propose to “work together to build a political, social and citizen agreement.”

Their intention, they assured, is to “build a new social pact through a Constituent Assembly” that will allow the drafting of a new Constitution to replace the one promulgated in 1993, during the regime of Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000), Keiko’s father.

The document remarked that Peru must guarantee “universal and free vaccination” against Covid-19, the distribution of medical oxygen, and improve the conditions of the health system.

In addition, it should “leave behind the economic model of the Fujimori dictatorship that has only benefited a privileged few” and apply “a second agrarian reform with productive diversification”, after the one implemented by the regime of the nationalist military officer Juan Velasco Alvarado (1968-1975).

The politicians also committed themselves to “promote a firm fight against corruption” and “re-found the State, deepening democracy, guaranteeing the exercise of rights for all… with sovereignty, justice and equality.”

MENDOZA’S SUPPORT

Mendoza, who resides in the southern city of Cusco, traveled to Lima to sign the joint declaration; Castillo arrived from the jungle city of Moyobamba, where he was carrying out campaign activities.

Local media pointed out that people from both politicians’ entourage held conversations during the last few days. By Tuesday, they had made progress in the agreements, so the meeting between the political leaders was decided.

Before this signature, Juntos por el Perú issued a statement in which it affirmed that the country “requires a serious and responsible government project to initiate structural changes.”

Thus, it urged Castillo to ensure “universal vaccination”, reactivate the economy, call a referendum on a new Constitution, support “the frontal fight” against corruption, and “strengthen the constitutional bodies”.

“We make available all our will and our strength, everything we have with our hand on our heart,” Mendoza added, before adding that they face “the historic opportunity to build a different Peru, where no one is left behind.”

DEFENSE OF THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE

On the other hand, Castillo addressed “the most forgotten families and the living forces committed to this country” to point out that his proposal is in defense of “the rights of the people”.

In this line, he greeted Mendoza “for being part of this trajectory, of this path”. He stated that in his country, it is “understood that it is necessary to revert what is said on paper” because many citizens “have been forgotten” by the current system.

“That is why we are here”, he emphasized before saying that Mendoza has not put herself “at the disposal of Pedro Castillo”, nor of his party, Peru Libre, “but at the disposal of Peru”.

Castillo, who maintains a 9-point lead over Fujimori in the latest opinion polls, then signed an individual commitment in which he promised to respect democracy, human rights, private property, and international commitments if he wins the Presidency of his country in the second round of elections.