Background: Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI won reelection to a third term in the spring of 2000, but international pressure and corruption scandals led to his ouster by Congress in November of that year. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of government; his presidency has been hampered by allegations of corruption.
February 18th 2008South America » Peru » San Martín » Tarapoto To David Skinner, the road from Tarapoto to Yurimaguas really is not bad, yes there were land slides, mud, rain, all that good stuff that makes the old saying "its the journey not the destination" tru ... [full story]
February 17th 2008South America » Peru » San Martín » Tarapoto Had the decision made for us to go to Yurimaguas today, Sunday, as on Monday the road from Tarapoto to Yurimaguas will closed for 18 hours mas o manos due to construction, rock slides and all that oth ... [full story]
February 16th 2008South America » Peru » San Martín » Tarapoto Ok, guys, Gerson and I are in Tarapoto. Arrived last night, found a nice hostal, bloody Macaws talking in espanol waking you up in the morning. Anyway went to the small village of Lamas today beautifu ... [full story]
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