Peru quake victims grateful to Hugo Chavez

One year ago a pair of powerful earthquakes rattled coastal Peru. At least 500 people were killed, thousands were left homeless, and several cities were left in ruin. President Alan Garcia pledged to help affected areas quickly rebuild though the Peruvian government was criticized for poor organization in the delivery of much-needed supplies.

Despite claims of progress being made by Peru’s housing minister recovery efforts have been painfully slow. The bump in approval received by Garcia after the quakes disappeared as residents of the affected cities are angry at the government. Protestors in the city of Pisco plan to march on the one-year anniversary of the tremors this Friday.

While residents of affected areas are disappointed at Garcia, some have become grateful for the help from Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez:

"Thanks to God and to Hugo Chavez, I have a house," said Emma Euribe, 50. She and her four children moved into their plastic-walled home two months ago, marveling that it sits in front of a new park and came fully furnished.

"Look what Hugo Chavez, who isn't our president, has done for us. The corruption here needs to stop because we're human beings in need," she said…

Chavez is spending money in Peru largely to support his ally and Garcia's rival, Ollanta Humala, an ultra-nationalist who hopes to become Peru's next president in 2011…

"Frankly, we don't have a lot of faith anymore but hopefully Humala could do more for us," (Pisco resident Berta de la Cruz Espinoza) said.

Though Chavez’ help has been welcomed it isn’t the first time that he has used earthquake aid in order to help Humala. Tuna cans with the images of Chavez and Humala were distributed to quake victims; a move deemed by Garcia as “electoral propaganda.”

Image- BBC News

Sources- Living in Peru, Guardian UK, The Latin Americanist, M SNBC, Reuters UK, Voice of America