Humala Calls Protests In Peru Against FTA, But Is Not Present

The ex-presidential candidate of the Nationalist Party of Peru, Ollanta Humala, has called for demonstrations opposing the plan by the Peruvian government to sign a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. As organizing for the demonstrations began, Humala boarded a plane to go to Cuba for surgery. The result for scattered demonstrations, with actions in the countryside and about 800-1,000 marching in the capital, Lima. Humala, a symbol to resistance to imperialism decided to not take responsibility to the organizing of a movement against the FTA. Yes, masses are needed for a movement, but so does leadership.

Peru will now make the Andean nation the second, after Colombia, to sign such a treaty. There were plans for Ecuador to join this group, but after month-long mass demonstrations the Ecuadorian govenment was forced to pull back.

Will they be able to do the same in Peru? It depends how deep is the opposition to the FTA or TLC and how determined they are to fight. Further updates will follow. See cartoon.

Protests in Ecuador / Wave of Nationalism / What is FTA?