MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chavez accused of trying “to dominate” South America

Peruvian presidential candidate Alan Garcia accused Sunday Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez of having launched “a strategy to dominate South America” and involved Bolivian president Evo Morales in the scheme.

Former president Garcia according to the latest public opinion poll is leading with 56% vote intention in the June 4 runoff while his rival and winner of the first round ultranationalist former Army officer Ollanta Humala figures with 44%.

Interviewed by a Lima broadcasting station Mr. Garcia said that "a strategy to dominate South American countries has been launched following on the political model of Mr. Chavez".

García recently called the Venezuelan president a "scoundrel" and Chavez retorted saying the Peruvian candidate was a "rascal" and a "thief".

Mr Garcia was also critical of Bolivian president Evo Morales saying that following on Chavez' steps "he appeals to exaggerations at all times to attract attention".

The latest public opinion poll also showed that 23% of Peruvian voters remain undecided and will be "most demanding" regarding government programs and plans when they cast their ballot.

Apparently Mr García's advantage is significant in the capital Lima, where over half the population lives, as well as in rural and urban communities in the rest of the country.

The Peruvian press reports that candidate Humala has been forced to cancel several political rallies in Lima given the minimum interest from the electorate.

Garcia has repeatedly challenged Mr. Humalla to a public debate but the former Army officer so far has declined attacking his rival as the candidate of the corrupt "political establishment".

The survey also indicated that Peruvian president Alejandro Toledo who during most of his five year mandate was the most unpopular South American leader, below 15%, has recovered and now has a 31% support.

Mr. Toledo was also involved in an exchange of "epithets" with President Hugo Chavez who accused his Peruvian counterpart of acting as an "office boy" for the "empire of evil" for having signed a free trade agreement with United States. Mr Toledo accused Chavez of "political trading" in the continent with his "oil check book".

President Chavez all along has openly supported candidate Humala whom he invited to Caracas. Chavez has been accused of involvement in Peruvian internal affairs plus serious suspicions that he could have contributed with financial assistance.

Mr Garcia whose previous administration, 1985/1990, is nothing to be proud of because of his total incompetence in managing the economy and alleged corruption, has intelligently focused the campaign on President Chavez as the mentor and supporter of Mr. Humala.

According to the same public opinion poll, Brazil is Peru's "best friend" followed by United States 13% and Bolivia 9%.

The countries "least friends" of Peru are Chile and Venezuela both with a 2% support.