Editor's Note: We thank "Helmschmid" for commenting on our publication of Humala Claims Victory in Peru After Edging Ahead of Fujimori. Helmschmid clarifies positions taken (and not taken) by Ollanta Humala, recently elected as the new president of Peru.

- Les Blough in Venezuela

Reader Comments

Helmschmid:

Generally a good article, but a couple of corrections are in order. First, Humala has not "set aside" his plan to write a new constitution. Just a few days ago, he said that he will propose a constitutional rewrite, preferably in consultation with Peruvian political parties, and if no agreement can be reached he will submit it to a referendum.

Second, he has clearly stated that he will be following his own policies and approaches to problems rather than looking to any one country, be it Brazil, Venezuela, or the US as a model to slavishly follow. He has also very clearly continued to state that he will assert Peruvian sovereignty over natural resources. It is not yet clear what form this will take, but if mining companies resist new taxation or other measures, I do not see anything in his personal statements that would rule out assuming greater control over these resources, including nationalization.

Also, it is clear that the vast majority of Peruvians who voted for him did so because they support his policies, just as they did in 2006. (45%+ in 2006 vs. 51.5% in 2011). Finally he has clearly placed a clear priority on deepening South American integration, specifically UNASUR. It should be noted that a number of the comments ruling out natinalizations and other matters have been made by advisors and not by him personally, which still leaves a large degree of uncertainty as to which policies he will pursue in a number of areas. [END]

Ollanta Humala will take office as Peru's new president next month. Washington's fear of him and their paranoia about his relationship with Venezuela's President Chávez are palpable. The U.S. sees the possibility of yet another South American country, a capitalist stronghold, turning left. But Humala has made pre-election promises to the ruling oligarchs which appear to favor a neoliberal market economy. We have to wait to see what happens in actual practice as he assumes office and picks his cabinet and staff. - Les Blough, Editor