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JUNE 4, 2001

In what international observers have described as Peru's cleanest election ever, Alejandro Toledo on Sunday defeated former President Alan Garcia to become the nation's first democratically elected leader of Indian descent.

With 73.68 percent of the ballots counted, Peru's elections board had Toledo with 51.58 percent of the valid votes while rival Garcia had 48.42 percent. Some 12.84 percent of the total counted were blank or invalid, far less than what had been predicted as the run-off race entered its final weeks.

Garcia, 52, who drove the country into financial peril during the late 1980s, graciously conceded defeat.

"Its time to extend my regards and congratulations to Dr. Toledo for being the winner on this democratic day," he said, promising to help the rebuild a nation racked by a number of political scandals in the past two years.

Emerging from his hotel in Lima, the capitol city, late last night, Toledo spoke to a crowd of tens of thousands as he gave his victory speech. Accompanied by his wife Eliane Karp and daughter Chantal, 18, he promised a government "for every Peruvian" and "of every blood."

"Brothers and sisters, tonight is the beginning of the future," said Toledo. "Tonight, all Peruvians celebrate the triumph of democracy."

For Toledo, a 55-year old world-class economist who rose from poverty to obtain two degrees from Stanford University, the victory is the culmination of nearly two years of endless campaigning. He entered the race to unseat Alberto Fujimori, who led the country for more than a decade.

But the election was plagued with widespread allegations of fraud and abuse as Fujimori mysteriously edged towards victory last April. Widespread protests followed in Lima.

Eventually, a run-off was called but Toledo dropped out, citing uncorrected problems in the election system. The move gave Fujimori a guaranteed win yet troubles soon befell his administration as both he and spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos fled the country amid scandal.

The outlook didn't get any better for Toledo, though. In a move which worried international investors, the controversial Garcia returned to Peru in January after nine years of exile --- just as charges of corruption against him expired.

But the black marks didn't particularly sway voters. Entering the race as a dark horse, Garcia's strong speaking style won him widespread appeal and enough votes to prevent Toledo from prevailing in April.

The run-off race then turned into a virtual war of words as both candidates attacked one another for their proven and alleged failures. Garcia was hit on his past performance as President while Toledo was racked with charges of cocaine use, marital infidelity, fathering a child out of wedlock, and spousal abuse.

And while Toledo banked heavily on his indigenous roots, taking part in traditional ceremonies and promising a special inaugural celebration at the Inca city of Machu Picchu, he wasn't guaranteed support among the 82 percent of Peruvians who are of Indian or mixed heritage. Garcia was able to gain support among some of the nation's poor indigenous, many of whom had favored Fujimori in elections of the past.

Still, Toledo reveled in his heritage, calling himself "The Rebel Indian" and the "Indian with a cause" as supporters compared him to the Inca ruler Pachacutec. Yet it was only his wife -- a naturalized American citizen born in Belgium -- who could speak Quechua, the language of the Incan people.

Fujimori now lives in Japan, where his parents were born. He has been granted citizenship and although Peru's Attorney General has filed human rights abuses charges against him, it is unlikely he will face them since the two countries have no extradition agreement.

Photo Series:
Peru Close Up (The Washington Post)

Relevant Links:
Profile of Peru, CIA World Factbook - http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/pe.html
Oficina Nacional de Procesos Electorales (ONPE), Only in Español - http://tic.onpe.gob.pe

Related Stories:
Peru heading to polls on Sunday (6/1)
From streets of Peru to Stanford (5/31)
Peru headed for run-off (4/9)