Supporters of Alan Garcia are celebrating his victory after Peru’s presidential run-off. The former leader is making a political comeback, more than 20 years after his government was battered by economic ruin and rebel violence.

Garcia says Peruvians have rejected what he describes as a backward looking plan by Venezuela’s president, Hugo Chavez, to include Peru in its military expansion. He said: “We are tired of bullies and militarism. Here, in Peru, it’s the people who decide and direct, and I’m sure that in no time at all, right across Latin America, it’ll be the people who decide and direct.” Hugo Chavez earlier caused a diplomatic spat with Peru by publicly backing Garcia’s rival, Ollanta Humala, a former army commander. Humalla campaigned for what he called a revolution against the rich and suggested the economy should be completely placed in the hands of the state. However, it seems 55 percent of voters preferred the words of Garcia, who says he has learned from past mistakes and will better manage the country’s growing economy.

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