Peru’s President Dina Boluarte, amidst record unpopularity and economic hardship, has shifted towards austerity and repression, proposing a “deregulatory shock” to boost business while imposing austerity measures. The government faces increasing social unrest due to infrastructure failures and economic failures, leading to a call for independent socialist movement from the working class as they confront growing repression and electoral maneuvering.
In response to worsening social and economic conditions, the administration of President Dina Boluarte in Peru is increasingly shifting rightward. Economy Minister José Salardi introduced a policy for a “deregulatory shock” aimed at boosting business confidence through relaxed labor laws and corporate tax cuts, paired with austerity measures that threaten to lower living standards further for most citizens.
The government’s approach mirrors the strategies of the American Department of Government Efficiency and Argentina’s Javier Milei, signaling a robust offensive against the working class. The measures proposed can only intensify the regime’s dictatorial tendencies, increasing repression against workers and critics of the government.
The Boluarte regime has declared a state of emergency in three provinces in the La Libertad region to combat rising crime rates, extending military and police actions to impose public order. The government’s rightward shift aligns with Boluarte’s reassurances to major mining companies and international finance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, promoting unrestrained exploitation of Peru’s resources.
Boluarte is experiencing unprecedented unpopularity, yet claims of economic recovery are unsupported by evidence, with stagnant real wages and a concerning increase in poverty. Private investment growth remains modest, with budget cuts further hindering public spending and services at a time when infrastructure failures are rampant.
Disasters linked to neglecting infrastructure have compounded the crisis; severe rains and landslides affected thousands, and oil spills impacted indigenous communities without a governmental response. A recent shopping center collapse highlighted the lack of regulatory oversight, resulting in significant casualties and calls for accountability that went unheeded.
Continuous social unrest reflects widespread discontent; however, the inability of unions and lack of clear representation for workers has crippled effective protest movements. Despite multiple national strikes, participation has waned, mostly dominated by business interests rather than genuine labor concerns.
The government has portrayed increased policing as a necessary response to crime, while the root causes lie in deep social inequalities exacerbated by systemic failures. Calls for mass mobilization against layoffs emerged but have been channeled into ineffective changes rather than comprehensive action.
With mounting social dissatisfaction, the regime has turned to military expansion, and upcoming elections appear designed to quell unrest. Current candidates lack the capacity to challenge authoritarianism effectively, with nominal leftist parties also failing to propose real alternatives.
To confront this precarious situation, Peruvian workers must establish independent organizations and seek revolutionary leadership grounded in socialism. Historical missteps by established leftish entities have led to political confusion that needs addressing. The future lies in building a united, socialist movement, aligned with global workers’ struggles, exemplified through a new Peruvian section of the International Committee of the Fourth International.
Peru under President Boluarte is grappling with severe social unrest and economic challenges, prompting a controversial shift toward austerity and repression. Although faced with record unpopularity and public discontent, the regime persists in promoting policies favoring business over the welfare of the majority. Independent organization, revolutionary leadership, and a commitment to a socialist framework are vital for addressing the systemic crises faced by the working class in Peru, reflecting broader struggles across South America.
Original Source: www.wsws.org
