Share

Why Peru's Presidents Are Set Up to Fail

By Simeon Tegel

Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's travails point to deeper problems within Peru's democracy.

LIMA – Peruvian trust in democracy appears to be at rock bottom: a paltry 17 percent of the population believes their leadership governs “for the good of the whole population,” and just 45 percent say they support democracy as a system of governance.

Peruvians' cynicism is not without good reason. Until recently, two former heads of state were in jail on corruption charges, while a third continues to fight extradition from the U.S. In December, President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski pardoned...

Read this article on the Americas Quarterly website. | Subscribe to AQ.

Related

Xi's South American Tour: China Takes Centre Stage as U.S. Heads for the Wings

China is "taking advantage. The question is, can we do better?," said AS/COA's Eric Farnsworth to the South China Morning Post.

Trump and Rubio
Trump's Proposed Cabinet's Record on Latin America

Who has the incoming president picked to serve in roles that deal with the Americas, like border czar and secretaries of state and commerce?

Explore