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A general who led the 1968 coup that ousted President Fernando Belaunde Terry, Velasco has accomplished much during his six years in power—notably his land and education reform programs—but he has never been particularly popular. Moreover, he has grown increasingly intolerant of criticism and disposed to rule by fiat. In theory the junta does not interfere with political parties, but repression against them has grown during the past year. Some enemies of the regime have been harassed into exile; others, like former President Belaunde, have been forbidden to return. Last July Velasco expropriated all newspapers with a national circulation, thereby eliminating with one blow the only important source of opposition to his policies.
At the moment there is no alternative to a military government in Lima; and, as the success of the tank attack on the police indicated, the junta feels confident that it can effectively put down with brutal swiftness any challenge to its control. Still, with the Peruvian economy in trouble because of rocketing food prices and dwindling foreign loans, Velasco, who is seriously ailing with a circulatory disease, may now be inclined to consider retirement earlier rather than later.
One observer of last week's riots noted the "ecumenical characteristics" of the mob—meaning that its members appeared to range from the far left to the far right. That alone is a sober message for Velasco: namely, that he has managed to alienate Peruvians of every political leaning.