The President Who Replaced Terrorists with Tourists

Ex President of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, vows to make a comeback in the country’s elections in April, despite the election tribunal banning him from holding any form of public office until 2011.

Fujimori, President of Peru from 1990 to 2000, was widely regarded as a successful leader until accusations of corruption ended his presidency in 2000 and he exiled himself to Japan. Last month, Fujimori flew to Chile to begin prepartions for his electoral bid but he was subsequently arrested by Chilean authorities and he is now awaiting extradition. An official from the alliance led by Mr Fujimori said this latest ban by the election tribunal is political. The group must now decide whether to appeal against the decision or to find another candidate for the forthcoming election. When Fujimori came to power in 1990 he was the first person of Japanese origin to become head of state of another country. At the time he was sworn in Peru was on the brink of collapse as inflation escalated and guerrilla warfare raged through the countryside. Against expectations Fujimori managed to put a stop to the terrorism being carried out by el Sendero Luminoso (the Shining Path) and the Movimiento Revolucionario Túpac Amaru (MRTA). By the end of his presidency Fujimori has managed to decrease the annual rate of inflation to 3.7% and he had taken measures to increase the influx of tourists.To many Peruvians he is remembered as the president who replaced terrorists with tourists and he is largely regarded as the rightful leader of Peru. Allegations of corruption are common in Peruvian politics. Earlier this year the current leader, President Toledo, was found guilty of electoral fraud by the congressional commission. Despite his party being found guilty of forging many of the signatures it used to register for the 2000 elections, congress voted not to impeach the president.