1,000 Marines in Peru worries opposition parties

"Living in Peru" just came in from Dr. Jason Smith...

Here is a story on a Peruvian military offensive just launched at the begininng of the month in southeastern Peru, which I don't know how close it is to Ayacucho.

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=42313

Living in Peru
By Israel J. Ruiz

Peru's government has authorized for a group of U.S. marines to carry out a humanitarian aid project in Ayacucho, a region located in the south-central Andes of the country. According to opposition parties, the Andean country's government has authorized for "at least 1,000 armed U.S. marines" to be on Peruvian soil from Friday May 23 to September 10.

"These personnel will be entering the country to carry out the Humanitarian and Civic Assistance Program called "New Horizons 2008" in Ayacucho," said Peruvian congressional representatives after approving the government's request.

With nationalist leaders stating that the United States was looking to set up a military base in Peru, it was reported that the approval of the U.S. mission was not easy. According to representatives, the topic was extensively debated.Congresswoman Mercedes Cabanillas explained the mission included the construction of medical posts, water wells and school classrooms.

Peru's vice president called nationalists hypocrites for accepting aid from Cuba and Venezuela but refusing to accept help from the U.S. "Ayacucho can't afford to turn away North American aid," said the vice president.

Ayacucho is remembered as the region that was worst affected by terrorism in the 1980s when Shining Path guerrillas began a war against Peru's government.