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Peru: Regional president criticized for plan to become independent state

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Regional president of Puno, Hernan Fuentes

© ANDINA

(LIP-ir) -- Despite having been called "seditious" by Peru's Cabinet Chief, Jorge del Castillo, Hernan Fuentes, the regional president of Puno, one of Peru's southeastern most regions, assured that he would continue working on plans to make Puno an independent state.

Fuentes' statement caused an uproar among congressional representatives as well as government authorities on Monday.

The president of congress, Luis Gonzales Posada, assured that Fuentes' statements were a sign of "constitutional ignorance" while the Minister of Justice said his plan was "absurd".

Hernan Fuentes was not supported by other regional presidents either. "I am sure that 90 percent of the regional presidents don't support Fuentes", said Yehude Simon, the regional president of Lambayeque.

He assured that what Fuentes was trying to do was "crazy".

Congressional representatives in Puno have asked for an investigation to be opened on Hernan Fuentes, stating that he should be called to explain how funds were being administered.

Fuentes has also been accused of spending over 4 million soles on "propinas" or tips in the past year.

The president of congress, Luis Gonzales Posada, announced Tuesday that a new law would be discussed with the regional presidents of the country to keep things like this from happening in the future.

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# Cut 'em loose says :
18 March, 2008 [ 12:51 ]

I say cut 'em loose.  The People's Republic of Puno (Poono) would be a debtor nation from day 1.  Puno is the world capitol of informality.  Let's see Regional President Fuentes (can we paleeze call these guys govenors and NOT presidents???) try and collect taxes for schools, police protection, military etc.etc. from the ambulantes, smugglers and pirating businesses that fill that region.  Ja! Ja! Ja!  Like I said...cut 'em loose.  This guys is a nut job.

# Michael says :
18 March, 2008 [ 22:30 ]

Puno is pretty dysfuntional, but just because he is a nut job doesn't mean the people of Puno agree with him or are as crazy.

Frankly, if he actually starts taking any action, perhaps he would need to be removed from office for sedition.

# Jet says :
19 March, 2008 [ 02:47 ]

He is being financed under the table by the Chavez regime.  The Peruvian government better keep a close eye on him and the people he associates with. This is all part of a much larger plan of destabilization, instigated by several foreign countries as well as several resentful "little dictators" inside of Peru who lost the last national presidential elections.
Does Hernan Fuentes have a screw loose?  No I don't think so.  This is actually very common thinking for those who affiliate themselves with ultra leftist political movements, even the ones that are inter-mixed with indigenous political movements. 

Unfortunately many of these types of groups will actively lend themselves to be used by such wacko's like Chavez as long as the money keeps flowing in.

Just a few days ago, 2 people were caught entering Peru from Ecuador, trying to smuggle in over $150'000 in cash, reportedly and precisely with the goal of supporting seperatist/leftist/revolutionary groups within Peru.
For the good and unity of the country. I hope Peru will tighten up on controlling this type of activity and continue to investigate outside connections to these groups.

# Jorge MM says :
19 March, 2008 [ 05:34 ]

That clown is not worth the hassle and should be kick out to Bolivia, he is even more Humalista than Humala… what an Idiot!!