Free Peru
Perú Libre
AbbreviationPL
General SecretaryVladimir Cerrón
Parliamentary spokespersonWaldemar Cerrón
Founded13 August 2008 (2008-08-13)
Registered15 January 2016 (2016-01-15)
HeadquartersHuancayo, Junín
Breña, Lima
Membership (2020)5,204
Ideology
Political positionLeft-wing to far-left
Regional affiliationSão Paulo Forum
Colours  Red
Slogan"¡No más pobres en un país rico!"[1]
("No more poor in a rich country!")
Congress
12 / 130
Governorships
0 / 25
Regional Councillors
5 / 274
Province Mayorships
3 / 196
District Mayorships
73 / 1,874
Party flag
Website
perulibre.pe

Free Peru (Spanish: Perú Libre), officially the Free Peru National Political Party (Spanish: Partido Político Nacional Perú Libre), is a Marxist political party in Peru. Founded in 2008 as the Free Peru Political Regional Movement, the party was officially constituted as a national organization in February 2012 by the name of Libertarian Peru. It was registered as a political party in January 2016 and adopted its current name, Free Peru, in January 2019.[2] Its presidential candidate Pedro Castillo won the 2021 Peruvian general election against Popular Force nominee Keiko Fujimori. Free Peru has the second most seats in the Congress of Peru, with 22 out of 130 total representatives;[3] however, its opposition continued to rule Congress after forming a larger alliance of seats led by the Popular Action party.[4][5] Free Peru is a participant in the São Paulo Forum, an annual conference of leftist parties in the Americas.[6] The party has formed an alliance with Fujimorists due to their strength within Peru's institutions.[7]

History

The party was founded in August 2008 by former Junín governor Vladimir Cerrón, who is serving a four-year and five-month prison sentence after being found responsible for crimes of incompatible negotiation and for taking advantage of his regional position to the detriment of the Peruvian State during the management of sanitation work in La Oroya, from 2011 to 2014. The Superior Court of Junín issued the sentence on 5 August 2019.[8] Cerrón had been elected in 2018 for a second non-consecutive term as governor, but his tenure was cut short due to the sentence. Still, he formally leads the party in his position of Secretary-General. Cerrón ran as a presidential candidate in the 2016 Peruvian general election, and registered his candidacy on 11 January 2016 but withdrew from the race two months later due to little support in his candidacy and also to prevent the party from losing its electoral registration.[9] In the 2018 regional and municipal elections, Cerrón took the businessman, journalist, and radio host Ricardo Belmont as a candidate for the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima, obtaining 3.89% of the votes validly cast in Lima.[10][11]

In the 2020 Peruvian parliamentary election held on 26 January, the party won 3.4% of the popular vote but no seats in the Congress of the Republic of Peru, as the party failed to reach the electoral threshold.[12][13] Months before the election, the party was in talks with the Together for Peru coalition and New Peru in order to run allied in the parliamentary election; however, due to Cerrón's criminal profile and many prominent New Peru members quitting their party as the union materialized, the alliance fell through and the parties ran separately in the election, in which neither achieved representation.[14][15] Their presidential nominee Pedro Castillo unexpectedly took the lead in the first round of the 2021 Peruvian general election after seeing a surprise surge in support starting around one month before the election. After his victory in the first electoral round, Castillo asked to dialogue with other Peruvian political forces in order to achieve political agreement;[16] however, he ruled out making a roadmap as Ollanta Humala did, maintaining ideological discourse.[17]

In January 2022, vice president Dina Boluarte was expelled from Free Peru by Vladimir Cerrón after she stated during an interview with La República that she had never embraced the party's ideology. Cerrón said that Boluarte's comments threatened party unity.[18] Her departure was followed by President Castillo's several months later, in June 2022, when he resigned from the party following a request by Cerrón. The latter accused Castillo of implementing policies out of step with Free Peru.[19]

Ideology

The party describes itself as "a left-wing socialist organization" that supports anti-imperialism,[20] democracy, decentralization, federalism,[21][22] humanism, internationalism, Latin American integration,[23] and sovereignty.[20] The party claims to uphold the works of Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin, and José Carlos Mariátegui.[20] Free Peru's political position has been variously described by observers as left-wing,[24][25] to far-left,[26][27] and the party's ideology has been described as Marxist,[28][29][30] Marxist–Leninist,[31][32] and socialist.[33][34]

Both Pedro Castillo and Vladimir Cerrón have taken conservative stances on social issues,[35][36] as did their right-wing opponents,[37] including opposing same-sex marriage,[37] but supports the decriminalization of abortion.[38] Following his success in the first round of the 2021 presidential election, Castillo said that he opposes Chavismo and Nicolás Maduro, distanced himself from those on the far-left in the party,[39] would not nationalize industry, and would honor the rule of law to placate market alarmism,[40] adding that he would lead the party instead of Cerrón.[41]

Domestic

In domestic affairs, Free Peru is opposed to neoliberalism and states that their party seeks "to rescue the minimized, almost imperceptible and dying State from the subjugation of market dictatorship".[20] Free Peru says that when Peru adopted neoliberalism and markets were deregulated, foreign companies assumed control of the economy, exploitation of labor increased, inequality grew and the country was led "to a neocolony condition".[20] Initially, the nationalization of mines, gas, oil, hydroelectricity, and telecommunications in order to fund social programs was a goal of Free Peru;[42] however, in an attempt to appease foreign business interests, Castillo promised that his government would not nationalize industry within Peru. At the same time, he reaffirmed his party's position of defending the distribution of wealth.[40]

Cerrón initially said that Free Peru is opposed to Fujimorism,[42] though IDL-Reporteros reported that the party has formed an alliance with Fujimorists in the government due to their widespread power with Peru's institutions.[7] While initially supportive of decriminalizing abortion, the party later came out in support of existing restrictions.[20] In December 2019, Cerrón said he changed his mind about discussing gender in school curriculum and accepted it.[43]

International

Internationally, Cerrón has emphasized the party "defends revolutionary processes in the world, especially in Latin America: Cuba, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Venezuela and Bolivia".[42] Free Peru has shared praise for some of the policies of Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez for their foreign policy and regional solidarity.[44] The party also opposes the Lima Group.[42]

In an article published on the party's website, Cerrón praised the rule of Russian president Vladimir Putin.[45]

During his candidacy for the 2021 presidential elections, Castillo defended the government of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, describing it as "a democratic government".[46][47] He would later retract his statements, stating that "[t]here is no Chavismo here", and saying of President Maduro, "if there is something he has to say concerning Peru, that he first fix his internal problems".[40][48] The party described the Venezuelan refugee crisis as a human trafficking issue,[49] with Castillo saying that Venezuelans were in Peru "to commit crimes".[48]

Electoral history

Presidential

Election Candidate First round Second round Result
Votes  % Votes  %
2016 Vladimir Cerrón Withdrawn Lost Red XN
2021 Pedro Castillo 867,025 18.92 8,836,380 50.13 Won Green tickY

Congress of the Republic of Peru

Election Leader Votes  % Seats +/– Rank Government
2020 Vladimir Cerrón 502,898 3.40
0 / 130
 13th Extra-parliamentary
2021 1,724,354 13.41
37 / 130
 Increase 37 Increase 1st Minority government

Regional and municipal elections

Year Regional governors Provincial mayors District mayors
Outcome Outcome Outcome
2010
1 / 25
0 / 196
24 / 1,639
2014
0 / 25
0 / 195
12 / 1,647
2018
1 / 25
5 / 196
29 / 1,678
2022
0 / 25
3 / 196
73 / 1,678

See also

References

  1. ↑ Arribas I., Guillermo (1 June 2021). "'No más pobres en un país rico'". Enfoque Derecho (in Spanish). Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  2. ↑ Aquino, Marco (10 June 2021). "Peru's Castillo Closes In On Victory In Presidential Election". Reuters. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  3. ↑ Lopez, Diego (13 May 2022). "Peru Libre ruling party loses power: 10 of its congressmen resign". Perú Reports. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  4. ↑ Aquino, Marco (26 July 2021). "Peru opposition to lead Congress in setback for socialist Castillo". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  5. ↑ "Radiografía del voto a nivel nacional en elección entre Castillo y Fujimori". Ojo Público. Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  6. ↑ "Foro de São Paulo Partidos". Forodesaopaulo.org. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Ni siquiera topo: apenas tapón". IDL-Reporteros (in Spanish). 22 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  8. ↑ "Junín: Vladimir Cerrón fue condenado a 4 años y 8 meses". TV Perú Noticias. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "Vladimir Cerrón desiste de participar en elecciones presidenciales". Agencia Peruana de Noticias (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  10. ↑ "Ricardo Belmont dice que aceptará los resultados electorales". Agencia Peruana de Noticias (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  11. ↑ "ONPE publica resultados de Lima al 100%". ONPE (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  12. ↑ "11 partidos pasarán la valla, al 99.09 % del conteo de ONPE". Agencia Peruana de Noticias. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  13. ↑ PERÚ, Diario Oficial El Peruano. "Boca de urna: Estas serían las nuevas bancadas del Congreso". elperuano.pe. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  14. ↑ PERÚ, Diario La República (25 October 2019). "Marisa Glave e Indira Huilca renuncian a Nuevo Perú tras alianza de Verónica Mendoza". larepublica.pe. Archived from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  15. ↑ PERÚ, RPP Noticias (19 October 2019). "Richard Arce renuncia a Nuevo Perú ante una eventual alianza política con Perú Libre". rpp.pe. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  16. ↑ Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Candidato más votado en Perú ofrece dialogar con otros partidos | DW | 14 April 2021". DW.COM (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  17. ↑ GESTIÓN, NOTICIAS (14 April 2021). "Pedro Castillo descartó la posibilidad de una hoja de ruta para la segunda vuelta nndc | PERU". Gestión (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  18. ↑ "Perú Libre expulsa a Dina Boluarte por declarar que nunca abrazó el ideario de ese partido". Infobae (in Spanish). 23 January 2022. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  19. ↑ "President Pedro Castillo resigns from Peru Libre party". Radio Havana Cuba. Lima. 1 July 2022. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ideario y Programo" (PDF). Perú Libre. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  21. ↑ Redacción (1 April 2021). "Pedro Castillo de Perú Libre, el outsider en estas elecciones, fue el virtual ganador en el Debate Presidencial %". Aeronoticias.com.pe (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  22. ↑ Redacción (30 March 2021). "Julián Palacin: Perú Libre defiende una Constitución Federal %". Aeronoticias.com.pe (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  23. ↑ "FIDEL ALMA DE LA NACIÓN LATINOAMERICANA". Perú Libre (in Spanish). 1 July 2020. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  24. ↑ "Peru's Fujimori leads protest to annul votes as Castillo nears win". euronews. 12 June 2021. Archived from the original on 15 November 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  25. ↑ "Peru election: Pedro Castillo to face Keiko Fujimori in run-off". BBC News. 13 April 2021. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  26. ↑ Aquino, Marco; Rochabrun, Marcelo (30 July 2021). "Peru's Castillo names far-left PM; no finance minister in cabinet". Reuters. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  27. ↑ "Peru election heads for a run-off as far-left candidate Pedro Castillo leads". NBC News. 12 April 2021. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  28. ↑ "Pedro Castillo: The primary school teacher who became Peru's president". BBC News. 28 July 2021. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021. Casting himself as a man of the people, Mr Castillo was rarely seen without the traditional white, broad-rimmed hat of his Cajamarca region, and a huge inflatable pencil, the symbol of his Marxist Free Peru party which also represents his background in education.
  29. ↑ "Peru president challenged by his own party over Cabinet". AP NEWS. 14 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  30. ↑ "Havana-Trained Marxist Pushes Peru's New President to the Left". Bloomberg.com. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  31. ↑ "Peru's Congress postpones Cabinet confirmation vote to next week". Reuters. 25 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  32. ↑ "Peru confirms new moderate-left cabinet". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  33. ↑ Rochabrun, Marcelo (10 November 2021). "Peru protesters block Las Bambas copper transport road again". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  34. ↑ Aquino, Marco (13 June 2021). "Peru's socialists cheer election win as conservatives pledge to fight on". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 January 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  35. ↑ Puente, Javier (14 April 2021). "Who is Peru's Frontrunner Pedro Castillo?". North American Congress on Latin America. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  36. ↑ "Peru polarized by two social conservatives in presidential runoff". The World from PRX. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  37. 1 2 "Peru polarized by two social conservatives in presidential runoff". Public Radio International. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  38. ↑ "Plan de gobierno de candidato presidencial de Perú propone despenalizar aborto". www.aciprensa.com (in Spanish).
  39. ↑ "Castillo, de extrema izquierda, gana fuerza en las presidenciales de Perú". EFE (in Spanish). 8 April 2021. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  40. 1 2 3 "'No Chavismo here': Peru socialist candidate Castillo seeks to calm jittery markets". Reuters. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  41. ↑ Redactor_Ym (22 April 2021). "Pedro Castillo arremete contra Nicolás Maduro: "que primero arregle sus problemas internos y que se lleve a sus compatriotas que vinieron a delinquir"". Diario Expreso. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  42. 1 2 3 4 Cerrón Rojas, Vladimir Roy. "Diferencias entre Perú Libre, nuevo Perú y frente amplio". Perú Libre (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 12 August 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  43. ↑ "Vladimir Cerrón cambia de discurso y ahora dice que sí acepta enfoque de género en currícula escolar". Radio Cutivalù (in Spanish). 10 December 2019. Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  44. ↑ "Peru Stocks Tumble as Presidential Vote Spooks Investors". Bloomberg.com. 11 April 2021. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  45. ↑ "DE LA DICTADURA DEL PROLETARIADO DE JOSÉ STALIN A LA DICTADURA DE LA LEY DE VLADIMIR PUTIN – Perú Libre | Partido Político Nacional" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 21 September 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  46. ↑ "Pedro Castillo, el maestro con el que se identifica el otro Perú". France 24. 12 April 2021. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  47. ↑ "Pedro Castillo califica de "democrático" el Gobierno de Nicolás Maduro". Exitosa Noticias (in Spanish). 11 April 2021. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  48. 1 2 "Candidato peruano marca distancia de gobierno de Venezuela". Associated Press. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 22 June 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  49. ↑ Puente, Javier (14 April 2021). "Who is Peru's Frontrunner Pedro Castillo?". North American Congress on Latin America. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
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