Riots devastated the center of Lima July 28 when demonstrations against President Alberto Fujimori’s assumption of a third term became violent. More than half the nation feels Fujimori has become illegally entrenched in power, has trampled on the constitution and must go if Peru is to retain a democratic system. Opposition leaders have promised ongoing anti-Fujimori demonstrations in an effort to force him from power within a year. The country is polarized and little can be predicted with certainty beyond political unrest into the foreseeable future.
