Toledo will go down in history

Toledo will go down in history as a failure. There is little doubt about it. The revolution he led, or fronted, in 2000 is now in the past. We will only remember the ‘Cholo bruto’ and have already forgotten the ‘Cholo terco’. This is a shame for many reasons:

First, he missed a great opportunity to bring about a clear change in the structure of power that has ruled Peru for the last 500 years. For once, a Peruvian with the appropriate indigenous credential had been elected democratically to rule the country. His success would have strengthened the chances of the poor and indigenous groups in Peru to claim self-governance and empower their roles in the political processes of the country. Toledo would have been followed by, hopefully, another representative of the indigenous Peru, transforming this country into a fairer and more equal society.

Second, he missed the opportunity to challenge the elites by showing them that their support of Fujimori was not going to be forgotten. He failed, however, because he preferred the power of dollars instead of the power of numbers. He surrounded himself of traditional politicians and businessmen belonging to the social and economic elites of Lima and became a victim of their envy and racism.

Third, he failed to take advantage of the reaction against market reforms and neo-liberalism and implement a more human public policy. He missed the opportunity to carryout a reform of the public sector to guarantee the fair and adequate re-distribution of wealth, the promotion of human rights and the protection of the poor and vulnerable. He has, instead, followed the same neo-liberal, free market policies that failed during Fujimori and that brought about an increase in inequality and social exclusion.

Forth, he has missed the opportunity to become a regional leader. The dream of the South American Union is taking place but with Toledo in an increasingly distant role. He also gave into U.S pressure and left the G20+ at a time when it most needed our support.

Fifth, he has missed the opportunity to do something about the atrocities of the 20 years of war and the impunity of those who carried them out. He failed to offer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission the support it deserved and let its recommendations linger in oblivion. He has engaged in personal fights with some of the most corrupt and disgusting politicians our country has had and let them destroy the chances of justice for the hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of Peruvians directly affected by the crimes of both the revels and the State.

Sixth, Toledo has missed the chance to create a real party, a contender to APRA. He has been unable to lead his own party and strengthen it. He has trusted too many people and depended on others for too many things and has lost control.

Seventh, he has missed the opportunity to shift the balance of power from the transnationals and foreign interests to the people. He has favoured the interests of the mining companies over those of the campesinos, he has reinforced the role of the U.S. in anti-drug policies in detriment to the livelihoods of Peruvian families; and he supports a FTA with the U.S. that can only bring about benefits for the rich and more poverty for the poor.

Toledo, will, no doubt, go down in history as a failure. It is a shame though, that he will fail regardless of the fact that exports, international reserves and GDP among other economic indicators have systematically increased during his government.

But, like any other president, his legacy will depend on what he does during the last days of his government. There is still time. He can, for instance, press forward in a decentralisation process that will award regions with absolute power and control over their resources. He could, for example, begin a systematic move of ministries out of Lima; does it make any sense that the Ministry of Agriculture is based in a city of 8 million people? Shouldn’t DEVIDA be based close to the coca producing regions where it is promoting ‘alternative development strategies’?

He could reform social policy and save it from the bickering of partisan politics. He could dramatically increase education and health budgets to decent levels –who will dare bring them back down? Toledo could still threaten the old order; he could bring about the changes he promised; he could reinvent the Peruvian Ande; he could shift the balance of power… He could do so much. Will he, though?