Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Around 34,000 Peruvians who live in Chile will obtain permanent residence in the mentioned country, after making use of the migratory law that the southern Government promoted last February, stated the Peruvian ambassador to Chile, Hugo Otero.

Otero pointed out that regulation with procedures and rules to acquire this benefit will be published at the end of August, according to the information provided by the Chilean vice-minister of Interior, Philip Harboe.

In addition, he explained that thousands of Peruvian families who reside in the southern country will obtain the same rights, without restrictions, of a Chilean citizen in the areas of social protection, health, work, among others.

These will help inmigrants to regularize in a definitive way their migratory status.

News source: ANDINA

On the ocassion of National Pisco Day, Ica’s people will gather tomorrow at the Main Square of this Southern city to celebrate with five thousand glasses of our flagship liquor, recognized worldwide.

The mass toast is organized by the Association of Pisco and Wine Producers of Ica (Apropica), informed its president, Julio Sotelo, who said that attendants will able to taste liquor for free.

At 10:30 hours (15:30 GMT), after the flag raising scheduled as part of the civic day to take place in this city, Ica’s people will participate of the denominated “Brindis de la Peruanidad” (Peruvian toast).

There will also be a Pisco exhibition of 22 producers at Ica’s Main Square, indicated Sotelo to Andina news agency.

“The purpose is to celebrate National Pisco Day as it should be done, with the participation of people and authorities, who, from this year on, have expressed their commitment in gathering different institutions in order to have the best Pisco celebration in Ica”, he added.

News source: ANDINA

China donates $100,000 for clearing land mines on Peru-Ecuador border

China donated 100,000 U.S. dollars for Peru to clear anti-personnel land mines in the border zone between Peru and Ecuador, the Peruvian Foreign Ministry said Friday. The donation came as a support for the joint plan in the Mountain Range of El Condor, in the Peruvian department of Amazonas, the ministry said. China made the donation during a ceremony at the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry in Lima, where Peruvian Vice Foreign Minister Gonzalo Gutierrez met with Chinese Ambassador to Lima Gao Zhengyue. (Xinhua - click here to read complete article)


Meadow Creek students take in Peru's sights, culture

Eleven Meadow Creek Christian School students and their Spanish teacher took the trip of a lifetime in late June to Peru to not only sight see but also to also help others. The students, their Spanish teacher Doris Griep and a couple of chaperones left for Peru on June 18 and returned eight days later. During that time, they experienced the Peruvian culture that Griep is very familiar with having grown up there. “I’m very proud of being Peruvian,” Griep said. “My class here is not just about teaching my language, but also sharing with my students my culture, my people and everything that belongs to my background.” (ABC Newspapers - click here to read complete article by Eric Hagen)


Peruvian who shot Linden cop in 1992 robbery is sentenced

A Peruvian national who shot a Linden police officer 15 1/2 years ago during a jewelry store heist was sentenced yesterday in Superior Court in Elizabeth to 25 years in prison for attempted murder and armed robbery. Enrique Coropuna Huaman, 48, was extradited from Peru last year after more than a decade on the run. Three others who were involved in the crime were tried and convicted, but Huaman was not found until June 2003 -- when he was ar rested for another robbery in Lima, Peru. (NJ.com - click here to read complete article by Judity Lucas)

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

The neighbors of a Peruvian woman that has very fond memories of Chile got upset and complained to the mayor of their district after the woman decided to paint her house to look like Chile's flag.

Neighbors in Trujillo went straight to Daniel Marcelo Jacinto, the mayor of La Esperanza complaining that Esther Alva had painted her house red and blue with a white star on the upper left side.

After investigating the matter and speaking to Esther Alva, the mayor assured there was nothing illegal about painting your house to look like another country's flag.

Residents have accused Jacinto of not being patriotic.

"They say I think I'm Chilean and that I'm not Peruvian anymore. I'm living my life and I'm not changing the color of my house," said Alva, who has already painted over the white star in fear of what her neighbors may do.

"I can't believe what she did," said the mayor. "I think it's dangerous because Chileans aren't liked over there. But it also shows how brave she is."

Esther Alva explained she had very fond memories of Chile, where she had an excellent job that allowed her to purchase her own home.

She stated she returned to Peru because of a love relationship that did not work out in Chile.

Alva said she was going to return to Chile to look for a job in August.

Peru setting standards for justice

Little noticed by the international press, the historic trial of former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori for gross violations of human rights is now under way before a special chamber of the Supreme Court in Lima. How the trial turns out -- and how it is conducted -- will send important messages about the capacity of national courts in Latin America and elsewhere to bring repressive leaders to justice. (Miami Herald - click here to read complete article by Doug Cassel)


Peruvian Dining Transforms New York City at 2nd Peru Grand Tasting 2008

Entrepreneur Edgar Perez is teaming with renowned Chef Ezequiel Valencia to present an evening of Fine Dining celebrating the 187th Anniversary of Peru's Independence Day, in anticipation of the Grand Opening of New York's finest restaurant, Peruvian Bistro. This exciting new restaurant will deliver the finest Peruvian Cuisine in a delightful New York atmosphere. (Market Watch - click here to read complete article)


Canada to provide technical support for development in northern Peru

Canada signed an agreement with Peru here on Thursday to help the South American nation build its first macro-region covering the northern Peruvian provinces of Amazonas, San Martin and La Libertad, officials said. Canadian support will help the region recognize its potential and identify areas for future development, said Peruvian Prime Minister Jorge del Castillo. (Xinhua - click here to read complete article)


Helping in Peru

A UBC graduate plans to get practical by taking a trip to Peru. Samantha Bangayan touched down in Huancayo, Peru, this week to work for a community organization that provides aid to children living with mental and physical challenges. "This opportunity has brought together everything I've been doing and want to be doing in the future," Bangayan, a psychology major, told 24 hours. (24 hours - click here to read complete article by Dharm Makwana)


Nude model flag controversy

A naked model who was photographed using Peru's national flag as a saddle while mounted on a horse could face up to four years in jail. (BBC - click here to see report by Fiona Werge)

Peru's minister of Production Rafael Rey will open today the festival "Pisco Surco 2008: Our country, our party, our pisco”, on the occasion of National Pisco Day celebrations to be held on July 27th.

The event will also be attended by the mayor of Santiago de Surco, Juan Manuel del Mar Estremadoyro, representatives of Peru’s National Commission of Pisco (Conapisco), among other important authorities, businesspeople and artists.

It will take place at 12:20 pm (17:20 GMT) in the "Parque de la Amistad” (Park of Friendship) in Surco.

Pisco is Peru’s national drink and is made in traditional distilleries in wineries in Mala, San Antonio, Santa Cruz de Flores, San Vicente de Cañete, Pacarán and Lunahuaná, south of Lima.

In many parts of the world, a raised glass is the surest sign of welcome. In Peru, the delicious brandy known as pisco is the best way to invite someone to discover centuries of history and tradition amidst the surprising cultural diversity that never fails to charm our guests.

News source: ANDINA

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) will honor the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and the archaeological site of Tipón as world civil engineering landmarks in a ceremony to be held in Cusco.

The event will take place on Saturday July 26 at the Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad of Cusco (UNSAAC) during the international forum: “Scientific Recognition for Machu Picchu and Tipón as civil engineering landmarks”.

The forum will be attended by renowned scientists, engineers, researches such as Ruth Wright, Kenneth Wright, Henry Petroski, Aleksandar Vesic, Clifford Schexnayder, Jorge Florez Ochoa, David Ugarte, Luis Barreda Murillo and Alfredo Valencia Zegarra.

For more than 40 years the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has recognized historically significant achievements that embody the pioneering spirit and ingenuity of civil engineers.

In September 2006, ASCE conferred landmark status to two Incan sites in Peru—Machu Picchu and Tipon.

Perched on a ridge in southern Peru more than 1,500 ft (457 m) above a bend in the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu is believed to have been built in the 15th century at the height of the Incan empire.

Often referred to as the Lost City of the Incas, the site comprises buildings, parks, terraces, and fountains that are interconnected by numerous channels and form part of a complex water drainage system.

Tipon, also in southern Peru, is located approximately 14.3 mi (23 km) southeast of Cusco and is known for its fine terraces and elaborate canals and aqueducts.

In addition to the Incan ceremonial buildings and living quarters, the site features underground channels and aboveground irrigation systems that once supplied the surrounding area with water.

News source: ANDINA

IBM sign outsourcing deal with Peru's Romero Group

IBM and Peru's Romero Group have signed a five year IT infrastructure outsourcing contract. Romero Group, a private business group, needed to cope with increased demands on their SAP resources and to introduce new service options. IBM will supply SAP outsourcing and use its external storage and UNIX processing to service the Romero Groups needs. (Trading Markets - click here to read complete press release)


Peru wants jail for nude woman who used flag as saddle

A naked model photographed using Peru's flag as a saddle while mounted on a horse will face charges that could put her in jail for up to four years for offending patriotic symbols, the country's defence minister said on Wednesday. The suggestive shot of Leysi Suarez, whose main job is dancing for the band Alma Bella, or Beautiful Soul, was splashed on the cover of DFarandula magazine and has caused a political uproar as Peru prepares to celebrate the 187th anniversary of its independence from Spain on Monday. (Reuters - click here to read complete article)


Peru's Guinea Pig Festival Doesn't End Well

The seaside town of Huacho, Peru just hosted what could be the world's cutest contest--if it weren't for how it ended. It was the Huacho Guinea Pig Festival. Things got started when some of the small rodents got dressed up for the animal fashion show, where this year's big looks were miner and king. But the winning guinea pig was done up as a traditional folk singer; it won thanks not just to a great outfit but its name: Yasmina del Amor. (Jaunted - click here to read complete article)


Peru declares state of emergency at Canadian mine site

The Peruvian government has declared a state of emergency at the site of a mine owned by a Vancouver company, saying its toxic chemicals are putting the capital's water supply at risk. A 60-day state of emergency was put in place in the San Mateo district, 90 kilometres east of Lima, where Gold Hawk Resources runs the Coricancha metals mine. Government officials said the mine's storage dump is unstable and at risk of collapse, which could release arsenic and other toxic chemicals into the Rimac River, Lima's main water source. (CBC - click here to read complete article)

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Peruvians living in the U.S. sent between $1.6 and $1.8 billion in the span of one year to family members and friends in their homeland, reported the Peruvian Embassy in the U.S.

Manuel Talavera, Peru's consul in the U.S. presented these figures in Washington D.C. during a meeting with entrepreneurs and businesspeople.

Talavera explained that the information was gathered between November and December 2007 from twelve Peruvian consulates across the United States.

He affirmed that the amount sent in remittances to Peru annually was an important and significant figure.

The consul stated, however, because of the difficulties the U.S. is going through, the amount could be less this year.

When reporting on how many Peruvians in the U.S. sent money to loved ones in the Andean country, Talavera explained that 66.5 percent of them sent money to Peru while 27.6 percent did not.

He added that illegal aliens sent more money to Peru than Peruvians that were residents or had become citizens.

"This can be explained because those that are living legally have brought, in many cases, their family. That's why they don't have to continue sending them money," said Talavera.

It was reported that there are currently 935,855 Peruvians living in the United States.

Peru's García unpopular despite boom

President Alan García presides over one of the region's fastest growth rates, but his approval rating sank to 26 percent this week because the poor say their lives aren't any better. The first time Alan García was president of Peru from 1985 to 1990, inflation skyrocketed to a cumulative total of more than 2 million percent. Twenty years later – during his second time in office – Mr. García boasts one of the lowest rates in the region, even while his neighbors suffer under double-digit inflation. (CS Monitor - click here to read complete article by Sara Miller Llana)


China Defies Peru Rescue of Miners Afflicted With Lung Disease

Mirna Chang will never forget the evening in July 2006 when her husband, Jose Rodriguez, collapsed on the living room couch in their cinder-block two-bedroom duplex and grabbed at his chest. ``I can't breathe, I can't breathe,'' he cried, his voice breaking in panic. By the time Chang got Rodriguez to the hospital, he was turning blue. Rodriguez, a worker at Chinese- owned Shougang Corp.'s iron ore mine in Peru, stayed in intensive care for more than a week. (Bloomberg - click here to read complete article by Michael Smith)


Latin America Battles Inflation

Unless governments cut spending and fight inflation with measures like interest rate increases, price hikes may become ingrained. Runaway inflation is back, from Mexico to Argentina. It's a nemesis that Latin Americans thought they had banished decades ago. But economists fear the lessons learned at great cost back in the 1970s and '80s have been forgotten. (Business Week - click here to read complete article by Greg Brosnan)


Warnings of violence in Africa force IUPUI to shift visit to Peru

IUPUI basketball coach Ron Hunter, who went barefoot for a game last season, won't be able to deliver shoes to the poor in Nigeria this month because the U.S. State Department said it wouldn't be safe to go. Instead, Hunter said his group will travel to Lima, Peru, on Thursday to deliver about 15,000 pairs of shoes. (AP - click here to read complete article)