Ex president Alan Garcia enters presidential race

Peru’s presidential elections scheduled for 8 April 2001 has suddenly come alive with Alan Garcia's announcement that he will contest the hot seat. The 51 year old former president is renowned for repudiating Peru’s debts to the IMF and the World Bank in the 1980’s. He was president from 1985 to 1990 and is returning home after 10 years in exile in Columbia and France.

Peruvian sources believe that the charismatic politician who is accused of corruption by his opponents but hugely popular with young voters, may pose a serious, if not credible threat to the front runner, Alejandro Toledo. Toledo represents the party, Peru Posible and claims to have been cheated of victory by fraud in the last presidential elections under Fujimori. 17 candidates, mostly neo liberals have so far thrown their hats into the ring.