Changes

===Military Rule and Return to Democracy (1968-1980)===  

===Military Rule and Return to Democracy (1968-1980)===  

[[File:ADRIAN AIRALDI Mujer de Jauja c. 1975.jpg|thumb|Mujer de Jauja by Adrian Airaldi, ca. 1975.]]

[[File:ADRIAN AIRALDI Mujer de Jauja c. 1975.jpg|thumb|Mujer de Jauja by Adrian Airaldi, ca. 1975.]]

The military has been prominent in Peruvian history. Coups have repeatedly interrupted civilian constitutional government. The most recent period of military rule (1968–80) began when Gen. Juan Velasco Alvarado overthrew elected President Fernando Belaunde Terry of the Popular Action Party (AP). As part of what has been called the "first phase" of the military government's nationalist program, Velasco undertook an extensive agrarian reform program and nationalized the fishmeal industry, some petroleum and mining companies, and several banks.  

The military has been prominent in Peruvian history. Coups have repeatedly interrupted civilian constitutional government. The most recent period of military rule (1968–80) began when Gen. Juan Velasco Alvarado overthrew elected President Fernando Belaunde Terry of the Popular Action Party (AP). As part of what has been called the "first phase" of the military government's [[left-wing]] pro-[[Socialism|Socialist]] [[nationalism|nationalist]] program, Velasco undertook an extensive agrarian reform program, being the second most radical one in Latin Ameria only behind Cuba; his government nationalized the fishmeal industry, some petroleum and mining companies, press and broadcasting media, and several banks; adquired Soviet military equipment for the Peruvian army; and established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union, Eastern Bloc and USSR allies.  

Because of Velasco's economic mismanagement and deteriorating health, he was replaced in 1975 by Gen. Francisco Morales Bermudez. Morales Bermudez tempered the authoritarian abuses of the Velasco administration and began the task of restoring the country's economy. Morales Bermudez presided over the return to civilian government under a new constitution and in the May 1980 elections, President Belaunde Terry was returned to office by an impressive plurality.

Because of Velasco's economic mismanagement and deteriorating health, he was replaced in 1975 by Gen. Francisco Morales Bermudez. Morales Bermudez tempered the authoritarian abuses of the Velasco administration and began the task of restoring the country's economy. Morales Bermudez presided over the return to civilian democratic government under a new constitution and in the May 1980 elections, President Belaunde Terry was returned to office by an impressive plurality.

===Instability in the 1980s (1982-1990)===  

===Instability in the 1980s (1982-1990)===  

Nagging economic problems left over from the military government persisted, worsened by an occurrence of the "El Niño" weather phenomenon in 1982-83, which caused widespread flooding in some parts of the country, severe droughts in others, and decimated the fishing industry. The fall in international commodity prices to their lowest levels since the Great Depression combined with the natural disasters to decrease production, depress wages, exacerbate unemployment, and spur inflation. The economic collapse was reflected in worsening living conditions for Peru's poor and provided a breeding ground for social and political discontent. The emergence of the terrorist group Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) in rural areas in 1980—followed shortly thereafter by the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) in Lima—sent the country further into chaos. The terrorists were financed in part from alliances with narcotraffickers, who had established a stronghold in the Peruvian Andes during this period. Peru and Bolivia became the largest coca producers in the world, accounting for roughly four-fifths of the production in South America.  

Nagging economic problems left over from the military government persisted, worsened by an occurrence of the "El Niño" weather phenomenon in 1982-83, which caused widespread flooding in some parts of the country, severe droughts in others, and decimated the fishing industry. The fall in international commodity prices to their lowest levels since the Great Depression combined with the natural disasters to decrease production, depress wages, exacerbate unemployment, and spur inflation. The economic collapse was reflected in worsening living conditions for Peru's poor and provided a breeding ground for social and political discontent. The emergence of the Maoist terrorist group Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) in rural areas in 1980—followed, which had killed over 30,000 people during 1980s and 1990s; shortly thereafter by the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) in Lima—sent the country further into chaos. The terrorists were financed in part from alliances with narcotraffickers, who had established a stronghold in the Peruvian Andes during this period. Peru and Bolivia became the largest coca producers in the world, accounting for roughly four-fifths of the production in South America.  

Amid inflation, economic hardship, and terrorism, the American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (APRA) won the presidential election in 1985, bringing Alan García Pérez to office. The transfer of the presidency from Belaunde to García on July 28, 1985, was Peru's first transfer of power from one [[democratically elected]] leader to another in 40 years.  

Amid inflation, economic hardship, and terrorism, the American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (APRA) won the presidential election in 1985, bringing Alan García Pérez to office. The transfer of the presidency from Belaunde to García on July 28, 1985, was Peru's first transfer of power from one [[democratically elected]] leader to another in 40 years.  

===2020 Protests===

===2020 Protests===

However, the Communist [[Manuel Merino]] did a coup d'etat<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/10/peru-coup-accusations-head-of-congress-made-president-predecessor-ousted</ref> against Martin Vizcarra, who called for no corruption.<ref>https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/peru-s-ousted-president-had-pushed-anti-corruption-efforts-what-n1247543</ref> Because of Merino, two protesters died, all for protesting the communist coup d'etat.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/15/two-killed-as-huge-pro-democracy-protests-continue-in-peru</ref> Merino, despite being called by the big [[MSM]] as far-right, which means pro-Trump, recognized [[Nicolas Maduro]] and aimed to work with him to promote terror and Communism, and even praised him<ref>https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/venezuela/nicolas-maduro-sobre-el-peru-les-podemos-mandar-a-juan-guaido-para-que-se-autoproclame-presidente-manuel-merino-renuncia-martin-vizcarra-videos-noticia/</ref>. However, Manuel Merino resigned, then the centrist Francisco Sagasti took office, who spoke against pride.

However, the Communist [[Manuel Merino]] did a coup d'etat<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/10/peru-coup-accusations-head-of-congress-made-president-predecessor-ousted</ref> against Martin Vizcarra, who called for no corruption.<ref>https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/peru-s-ousted-president-had-pushed-anti-corruption-efforts-what-n1247543</ref> Because of Merino, two protesters died, all for protesting the communist coup d'etat.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/15/two-killed-as-huge-pro-democracy-protests-continue-in-peru</ref> Merino, despite being called by the big [[MSM]] as far-right, which means pro-Trump, recognized [[Nicolas Maduro]] and aimed to work with him to promote terror and Communism, and even praised him<ref>https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/venezuela/nicolas-maduro-sobre-el-peru-les-podemos-mandar-a-juan-guaido-para-que-se-autoproclame-presidente-manuel-merino-renuncia-martin-vizcarra-videos-noticia/</ref>. However, Manuel Merino resigned, then the centrist Francisco Sagasti took office, who spoke against pride.

==See also==

==See also==