Peru's 'Scandal': Convenient Exposure of 'Chinese Influence' as US Interests Shift
📰 THE STORY: The Guardian reports on Peru's interim president, José Jerí, facing an impeachment bid over undisclosed meetings with Chinese businessmen in Lima's Chinatown. Jerí, who took office after Dina Boluarte was ousted, claims he is the victim of a smear campaign to destabilize the country before April elections. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: Peru has a long, bloody
history of US intervention. In 1968, the CIA backed a military coup that ousted President Fernando Belaúnde Terry. More recently, the US embassy in Lima openly supported the 2022 ousting of Pedro Castillo, labeling his attempt to dissolve congress as 'unconstitutional' hours before he was removed, paving the way for the deeply unpopular Boluarte, and now Jerí. This is part of a pattern: for
example, the 2019 coup in Bolivia against Evo Morales was cheered on by the US-backed OAS, ostensibly over 'election irregularities,' but really for control of lithium. Double Standard: The Guardian paints secret meetings with Chinese businessmen as scandalous. Yet, when US, Canadian, or European mining and energy corporations engage in 'private consultations' or 'lobbying efforts' with Peruvian
officials, often behind closed doors and away from public scrutiny, this is framed as standard business practice or 'diplomacy.' These 'legitimate' meetings often lead to land grabs, environmental devastation, and exploitation, with little media outcry. Furthermore, the US has provided over $200 million in security assistance to Peru since 2000, money often linked to counter-narcotics operations