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In Peru, Political Upheaval Fuels Long-Simmering Frustration

Associated Press

   LIMA, PERU - Over the last four decades, Peruvian lawmakers have
   stepped into Heyne Davila's brightly lit jewelry shop on a dusty street
   near congress to buy gemstone rings, gold necklaces and even a
   specially designed pin with the words, "Congress of the Republic."

   But on Wednesday as riot police blocked access to the stately
   legislature a short walk from his shop, the longtime businessman was
   shedding no tears over President Martin Vizcarra's decision to dissolve
   congress and remove legislators from their seats.

   The institution that Davila once held in esteem has in his mind fallen
   far from grace.

   "They had their chance," he said inside the store, where business has
   slowed to a trickle amid the chaos of recent days. "It has been many
   years since they worried about what is best for all Peruvians."

   Peru is in the throes of its deepest constitutional crisis in nearly
   three decades as Vizcarra and the opposition-controlled congress engage
   in an acrimonious tug of war over who should lead the South American
   nation. The president ordered the legislature dissolved Monday and
   called new congressional elections, characterizing it as a necessary
   step to root out entrenched corruption. Lawmakers likened the move to a
   coup and defiantly voted to suspend Vizcarra, swearing in one of Peru's
   vice presidents as his replacement.

   Vizcarra thus far has the upper hand, with backing from the country's
   governors and military leaders, and lawmakers appeared to cede ground
   Wednesday. Hours after the opposition's chief of state pick resigned,
   congressional leaders convoked the first meeting of a special
   commission that by law is expected to continue limited operations if
   the legislature is dissolved.

   In the chaotic business district surrounding congress that is filled
   with pet shops selling dog toys like rubber chickens, vendors hawking
   fake gold watches and party supply stores stuffed to the brim with
   pinatas and Hawaiian leis, frustrated Peruvians expressed dismay at the
   country's state of affairs and hope that new elections could be the
   solution.

   When one congressman tried to enter the legislature a day earlier,
   vendors threw oranges, boxes of fruit and bottles of pineapple juice in
   his direction.

   "They went after him like a pinata," said Brandon Buques, who runs a
   store selling Halloween decorations with his father near congress.

   Steadily simmering anger in the country of 32 million people has now
   evolved into a potentially explosive pressure cooker situation.

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