Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Lima Mayor Drops, Still Leads in Peru

Luis Castañeda Lossio is still the frontrunner in the early stages of Peru’s presidential race but he has lost support, according to a poll by CPI. 18.6 per cent of respondents would vote for the current Lima mayor in the 2011 ballot, down 8.3 points since March. Former left-wing presidential candidate Ollanta Humala is second with 16.9 per cent, followed by Keiko Sofía Fujimori—the daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori—with 15.8 per cent. (Angus Reid Global Monitor - click here to read complete article)


Native Groups Protest Laws Facilitating Sales of Land

Defending the state of emergency declared in three provinces in Peru to crack down on protests by indigenous communities against a law facilitating the sale of their community-owned lands, Prime Minister Jorge del Castillo said the government was safeguarding "the rights of the great majority of Peruvians." Since Aug. 9, indigenous demonstrators have been demanding the repeal of two decree laws that promote private investment in their territory, and the reestablishment of a clause from the 1979 constitution -- which was replaced by the new constitution in 1993 -- which stated that communally owned land in indigenous territory could not be sold or embargoed. (IPS - click here to read complete article by Milagros Salazar)


Rotary Sunrise brings 'Smile' to isolated villages in Peru

With the assistance of Rotary Sunrise, Dr Bert Thacker, of Smile Dental Surgery in Grand Cayman, recently completed his third visit to Peru to treat children and adults living with no dentists in isolated villages along the Amazon. Dr Thacker, a Sunrise Rotarian, had the trip sponsored by Rotary Sunrise, who also provided its members as assistants at the clinics. (Cayman net news - click here to read complete article)


Odyssey Marine Exploration Welcomes Peru's Filing In "Black Swan" Case

Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., the world leader in the field of deep-ocean shipwreck exploration, announced today that the Republic of Peru filed a motion in federal court in one of the company's pending admiralty cases. As anticipated after numerous statements in the media, Peru formally filed a Verified Conditional Claim in the "Black Swan" admiralty case, which was originally filed by Odyssey Marine Exploration. The case is currently pending before the U.S. District Court in Tampa, Florida. (Market Watch - click here to read complete press release)


Peru’s spectacular seabirds seeking sanctuary

Peru’s seabirds, especially the spectacular aggregations at its guano islands, are world famous. However, a new BirdLife report indicates that many of the sites and species are under increased threat and urgently need better protection. The new report - jointly published with the American Bird Conservancy - details the outcomes of a workshop held in Lima (Peru) last year entitled “Seabirds and Seabird-Fishery Interactions”. (Bird Life International - click here to read complete article)

Peru declares emergency in Amazon protest areas

In Peru, a state of emergency has been declared in four regions where members of the indigenous community are protesting against government plans to develop part of the Amazon Basin. The protesters have occupied oil and gas installations and are blockading roads. The indigenous groups argue that industrial activities in the Amazon region threaten their homelands. (RNW - click here to read complete article)


Peru suspends rights in jungle protest regions

Peru's government suspended civil rights Monday in remote jungle regions where Indian groups are blocking highways and oil and gas installations to protest a law that makes it easier to sell their lands. The 30-day decree published in the official gazette suspends rights to public gatherings and free transit in three northern provinces. (Miami Herald - click here to read complete article)


Peru may use army to end protests at energy sites

Peru's government on Monday threatened to send in the army to break up protests at energy installations that indigenous groups surrounded a week ago to denounce laws they say will strip tribes of their land. The government issued a decree for the provinces of Cusco, Loreto and Amazonas, allowing it to order the armed forces to disperse protesters. (Reuters - click here to read complete article)


Fighting for Freedom in Rural Peru: "ALBA Houses" Threaten Democracy

In Peru, hard-won economic and political freedom is in jeopardy from foreign interests bankrolled by Venezuela. Although Venezuela's immense oil wealth should belong to all Venezuelans, their far left, neo-populist, and authoritarian President Hugo Chavez is siphoning off much of it to enhance his own political power and spread his toxic "21st Century Bolivarian Socialism" throughout the Andean region. Chavez has been aided in this effort by Bolivian president and populist soul mate Evo Morales. (The Heritage Foundation - click here to read complete article by James M. Roberts and Edwar Enrique Escalante)


British climbers robbed in Peru

Three British climbers attempting to scale a remote peak in Peru had their expedition cut short yesterday when armed robbers stole their equipment and provisions in a night-time raid. Ken Pindlay, 54, William Waddell, 52, and Brian Swales, 55, were asleep at their base camp when masked men entered their tents and threatened them with guns and knives. (The Guardian - click here to read complete article by Alexandra Topping)


Peru fuels boom in soft and luxurious fashions made of alpaca, llama fleece

In this Andean nation far from glamorous runways, some of the most fashionable residents have four legs: vicunas, alpacas and llamas. Exports of the animals' fleecy coats have nearly doubled to more than US$43 million in the past four years, as models strut catwalks from Paris to New York wearing fur from the long-necked animals in the form of pricey ponchos, pants and pea coats. (The Canadian Press - click here to read complete article)

Famous Peruvian writer applauds Obama's candidacy

Peruvian novelist and politician Mario Vargas Llosa says Barack Obama would make a "magnificent" U.S. president. The prize-winning writer says Obama "represents the American dream," though he also respects rival candidate John McCain. One of Latin America's best known writers, Vargas Llosa ran for Peru's presidency in 1990, but lost to Alberto Fujimori. (AP - click here to read complete article)


Peru: Conflict grows, government slumps

Political and social conflict continues to grow in Peru in the wake of a general strike against the neoliberal policies of President Alan Garcia’s government, which saw much of the country paralysed on July 9. Declaring themselves to be in a state of “permanent mobilisation”, indigenous communities from more than sixty ethnic groups in the Amazon region shut down an oil pipeline operated by state-owned Petroperu in Loveta province, occupied the El Muyo hydroelectric power plant in Bagua province and blocked major highways and wharves affecting major mining companies on August 9. (Green Left - click here to read complete article by Kiraz Janicke)


The Lost Civilisation of Peru

Two thousand years ago a mysterious and little known civilisation ruled the northern coast of Peru. Its people were called the Moche. Dating from the time of Christ, the Moche created great buildings, beautiful art and indulged in hideous human sacrifice. But what became of them has always been a mystery. For after 650 years of glory, they simply disappeared. They were one of the most fabulous and frightening of ancient South American civilisations. (Australia Network - click here to see program schedule)


Friends follow their dream for Peru trek

Close friends Laura Warner and Charlotte Goddard had always dreamed about going to Machu Picchu. Now the Ledbury girls, who have known each other since their school days, have the chance to fulfil that dream when they take part in a charity trek to the Peruvian region next year. (Hereford Times - click here to read complete article by Paul Rogers)


Oneworld to encourage tourism to Peru

Airline alliance oneworld is putting its weight behind a campaign to attract visitors to Peru. Oneworld, which includes British Airways, American Airlines and Cathay Pacific, is joining up with the Peruvian tourist board PromPeru. The aim is to encourage visitors from the 150 countries served by the alliance’s airlines. Oneworld claims this is the first time any airline alliance has worked in this way with a tourist body in North or South America. It has carried out similar programmes with Japan. (Mad.co.uk - click here to read complete article by Branwell Johnson)


Roche and the Chocos Village Project in Peru: making a lasting difference to people’s lives

Today Roche gave a progress report on the reconstruction of Chocos, a village in the Peruvian Andes that was heavily affected by a devastating earthquake on 15 August 2007. After immediately sending emergency and first aid materials to the region, Roche decided to make a lasting difference by helping to reconstruct the destroyed village. (Webwire - click here to read complete article)

Peru's minister of Defense Antero Flores-Aráoz (right) stated today that there is the possibility of buying a satellite to capture images that will allow work on defense and atmospheric topics, as well as hydrographic resources and prevention of climatological phenomena.

Flores-Aráoz added the satellite purchase has always been a possibility for Peru, and that its acquisition is a topic of permanent analysis to determine if Peru should count on an own satellite or rent the service from a system that already works in orbit.

"We have been evaluating the possibility of getting a satellite since some time ago. Logically, we evaluate what is better for us concerning the image capture: renting a service or counting on our own satellite", he said to a local radio station.

The Peruvian minister clarified that the evaluation to acquire a satellite is not a response to Chile's announcement of putting in orbit a modern satellite observation system in February 2010.

In addition, he regretted that some media highlight Peru and Chile’s acquisitions as a negative topic, which could affect the bilateral relations of these countries.

News source: ANDINA

Protests in Peru a year after major quake

Residents of Peru's southern coast took to the streets Friday to protest the government's response to an magnitude-8.0 earthquake a year ago that left tens of thousands homeless. The Aug. 15, 2008 quake killed more than 500 people and destroyed more than 40,000 homes on Peru's southern coast, where many residents still scrape by in tents or makeshift wood huts provided by the government. (AP - click here to read complete article)


Thousands join Peru quake protest

Thousands of Peruvians have marched in protest at what they say is the inadequate official response to a quake a year ago that killed 519 people. The protest took place in the city of Pisco, one of the worst affected by the 8.0-magnitude tremor that also left more than 300,000 people homeless. Strikes were held in Ica and Chincha, which were also near the epicentre. (BBC - click here to read complete article)


Bolivia, Peru Brass to La Paz Talks

Bolivian and Peruvian Armed Forces will meet from August 17 to 22 for their 16th round of talks among high ranking commands, reported official sources. The purpose of the talks will be to develop mutual confidence and promote a concept of integral security between both nations. The governments of both nations agree on stressing the importance of continuing these meetings to develop a common policy within a South American framework. (Prensa Latina - click here to read complete article)


Oneworld to promote tourism to Peru

The world's one of the leading quality airline alliance, oneworld, is putting its weight behind one of the biggest yet campaigns to attract visitors to Peru. It is linking with PromPeru, the country's national tourist organisation, to encourage people across all 150 or so countries served by the alliance's airlines to take their holidays in one of Latin America's most attractive, fascinating and welcoming countries. (finchannel - click here to read complete article)


IUPUI delivers shoes to impoverished kids in Peru

John Ashworth didn't immediately understand the joy. One of three IUPUI basketball players to join coach Ron Hunter on his recent trip to Peru to hand out donated shoes, Ashworth was surprised by how much the children celebrated something that seemed so elemental. Eventually, he and the rest of the group began to understand. They weren't giving shoes to kids who didn't have any. They were giving shoes to some who had never seen shoes. (Indy Star - click here to read complete article by Jeff Rabjohns)


Proud parent Peru touts potatoes

At a market along frigid Lake Titicaca, the vendor caught a visitor eyeing her display of chuno, black and white potatoes as hard as charcoal briquettes. She explained how they are made: Peasants place them in a reed basket to be frozen in an icy river. Later, some stomp them to remove excess water. Sensing skepticism about the freeze-dried concoction, Juana Rojas made her pitch. "Cut it in half, put some cheese in the middle, you'll love it," said Rojas, 62, who grew up in this region more than 2 miles high. "And you don't even need a fridge." (Chicago Tribune - click here to read complete article by Oscar Avila)

Peru's economy grows 11.52 pct in June

Peru's economy, one of the fastest growing in the world, expanded 11.52 percent in June from the same month a year ago, official data showed on Friday, pushed by booming domestic demand and construction sector strength. The result was slightly above the median forecast of 11.4 percent growth in a Reuters survey. (Reuters - click here to read complete article)


Peru Government to Investigate Barrick, Glencore Worker Firings

Peru's government will investigate the dismissals of a total of 30 workers at mines operated by Barrick Gold Corp., Southern Copper Corp. and Glencore International AG, Labor Minister Mario Pasco said. The companies fired the employees after they failed to show up for work during a national strike that started in June. (Bloomberg - click here to read complete article by Alex Emery)


Peru expects Brazil's Eletrobras to seek 1.5GW in hydro concessions

The Peruvian Government expects Brazlian power holding group Eletrobras to apply shortly for more than 1.5GW in hydro power concessions. According to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Eletrobas is interested in five project concessions and hopes to be able to begin studies shortly. The company held initial studies during a visit in June, it added. (Water Power - click here to read complete article)


Local electricians give aid to Peru health clinics

It’s a little brighter in Lima, Peru, thanks to three retired members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48. Bob Palandech and two of his longtime friends, Bruce Zimmerman and Jeff Hawkins, recently returned from a two-week humanitarian trip in Lima with Portland-based nonprofit Health Bridges International. (Daily Journal of Commerce - click here to read complete article)


Ladies International Poker Series: LIPS Tour Peru

The Ladies International Poker Series, affectionately termed “LIPS”, will be making a stop in Mariflores, Peru later this month, near the capital city of Lima. The series will kick off August 23rd at the host casino, Casino Atlantic City, running through September 1st, 2008. “We are absolutely thrilled to be expanding into Latin America,” commented LIPS Tour founder, Lupe Soto. (4 flush - click here to read complete article)

The Peruvian and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) flags fly today at half-mast at Lima's Government Palace in mourning one year after the powerful earthquake that devastated many in the regions of Ica, Huancavelica and Lima.

The flags were hoisted at half-mast during a brief ceremony that took place at 08:00 hours (13:00 GMT).

Peru's government declared today, August 15, as Day of National Mourning for the 595 victims of the magnitude-8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Peru on August 15, at 18:40 hours local time.

The government also ordered flags flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations as well as police and fire stations in the country.

This includes embassies, consulates, and other Peruvian government offices in foreign countries.

News source: ANDINA

Peru's boxing dog packs a mean punch

She can't float like a butterfly, or sting like a bee, but Chela the boxing dog certainly packs a punch -- and a bite too. With her red boxing gloves on, the 3-½ year-old German Shorthaired Pointer dodges punches and throws jabs with her front paws while standing up on her hind legs. Her trainer says she's the only dog in Peru who knows how to box. "Chela didn't want to put the gloves on at first," said Cesar Chacaliaza, a brigadier in the national police force who has been training dogs for 13 years. "But now she likes it. She's very playful." (Reuters - click here to read complete article by Terry Wade)


One Year Later: Red Cross Helping Peru Earthquake Survivors Rebuild

When the massive earthquake struck this region last August 15th, it left communities crumbled, infrastructure destroyed and nearly 140,000 people homeless. Although the spotlight has moved on, the American Red Cross is still on the ground, working with the Peruvian Red Cross to help families rebuild physically and mentally. (Market Watch - click here to read complete press release)


Learning from mistakes a year after Peru's quake

August 15th is the first anniversary of the Peruvian earthquake that killed almost 600 people, injured over 1,000 and affected over 70,000 families in Sur Chico, south of Lima. It gives us a chance to take stock of what happened and push for an injection of new energy in an ongoing reconstruction process which has so far failed the families who most need help to recover and start earning a living again. (Alertnet - click here to read complete article by Samir Elhawary)


One year after the earthquake in Peru: Malteser International draws a positive balance

One year after the severe earthquake in Peru, the rehabilitation measures are still in full process. "Together with Malteser International and many members of Malteser Peru and the Peruvian Association of the Order of Malta, we have reconstructed the houses of 92 families in the two villages of Cedro de Villa and Nuevo Hulacará in a short time", Monsignore Helmut Zielinski, founder of Malteser Peru, says. (Relief Web - click here to read complete article)


Garcia says Peru not in midst of an energy crisis

Peruvian President Alan Garcia worked to calm concerns about the country's growing, if temporary, energy shortage on Wednesday, saying Peru is not in the midst of a crisis. In the last two weeks, Peru has experienced two blackouts as spiking demand, a shortage of rains and poor infrastructure have combined to crimp power supplies. Garcia has met with energy industry leaders to discuss the problem. (Reuters - click here to read complete article by Jean Luis Arce)


Peru: Fujimori planned to execute rebel leader

A former top Peruvian intelligence analyst says ex-President Alberto Fujimori planned to execute the captured leader of the Shining Path rebel group, an execution that was never carried out. Ex-analyst Rafael Merino Bartet says he and former intelligence chief Vladimir Montesinos prepared a decree ordering the execution of Shining Path leader Abimael Guzman. (AP - click here to read complete article)


Petroperu says protests shut oil pipeline in Peru

Peru's state-run energy company said on Thursday it had stopped running its oil pipeline in northern Peru because of protests, forcing its main refinery to work off inventories. The stoppage by Petroperu started on Tuesday after some 500 indigenous people, angry at recent laws passed to promote investment in the Amazon, began a protest. Gas and oil exploration has angered many indigenous and environmental rights groups. (Reuters - click here to read complete article)


Orica Buys 48.6% Stake in Samex in Peru for $58.2 Million

Orica Ltd., the world's largest explosives maker, bought the 48.6 percent stake it doesn't already own in the Samex joint venture in Peru for $58.2 million. The purchase takes Orica's ownership of Samex to 99 percent, the Melbourne-based company said today in a statement to the Australian stock exchange. (Bloomberg - click here to read complete article by Madelene Pearson)

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

In an agreement signed between Peru and Russia, it was established the Andean country would invest $106 million in the reparation of a fleet of MIG-29 fighter jets, said Peru's Defense Minister, Ántero Flores-Aráoz.

According to an official press release, it was announced the agreement between Russia and Peru was signed in the presence of military personal, civil authorities and the country's Defense Minister on Tuesday at an Air Force base in Chiclayo, one of Peru's northern coastal cities.

"We're off to a good start in the recovery of the Armed Force's operative capacity and this agreement is a good sign of that," affirmed Defense Minister Flores-Aráoz, stating it had not been easy to negotiate the pact with Russia.

"We've established excellent conditions in this deal and because of that I don't doubt that our pilots, our technical personnel and Peru in general will feel proud of this step, which puts us on the path to having Armed Forces in appropriate operative conditions," Flores-Aráoz said.

Peru's Air Force has a nineteen MIG-29 fighter jets it purchased from Russia and Belarus in the late 90s.

It was announced that these nineteen jets are to be repaired under the "Basic Defense" program.

The program is to spend $654 million on these types of projects until 2011.