Fascism in Peru

Fascism in Peru comprises a number of movements and parties in Peru which espoused and promoted fascism in the South American nation. Peru experienced fascist-led governments through the 1930s, though its popularity declined in the 1940s during World War II. Into the twenty first century, neofascism has emerged in Peru, especially during the Peruvian political crisis.

History

20th century

Origins

Historian José Ignacio López Soria outlined fascism in Peru, focusing on its main emergence during the 1930s. López Soria organized Peruvian fascism into three groups; aristocratic fascism as promoted by José de la Riva-Agüero y Osma, mesocratic fascism as supported by Raúl Ferrero Rebagliati, and finally popular fascism as espoused by Unión Revolucionaria (Revolutionary Union).

The Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Catholic Action and other Catholic groups supported Ferrero Rebagliati's concept of mesocratic fascism. The mesocratic movement opposed the historic ruling class and sought to promote the needs of mestizos to build support among the diverse groups in Peru. The movement was inspired by the National Fascist Party, Nazism and Falangism.

Another main outlet for fascism became the Peruvian Fascist Brotherhood, formed by ex-Prime Minister José de la Riva-Agüero y Osma. Riva-Agüero became more supportive of fascism after he returned to Catholicism in 1932, believing, according to López Soria, that Peru should "return to the medieval, Catholic, Hispanic tradition as embodied now by fascism" and he used the teachings of Bartolomé Herrera and Alejandro Deustua to support his ideology. The Fascist Brotherhood initially enjoyed some prestige but it receded into the background after Peru entered the Second World War on the side of the Allies. Moreover, the group's credibility was damaged by its leader becoming increasingly eccentric in his personal behaviour.

Fascist governments

The most popular fascist faction in Peru was Revolutionary Union (UR), which was initially founded by President Luis Miguel Sánchez Cerro in 1931 as the state party of his dictatorship. President Sánchez Cerro, who had humble origins, was highly charismatic, familiar with the populace's customs and was recognized as courageous after overthrowing President Augusto B. Leguía. UR quickly found support from former Civilista Party members and the traditional oligarchy families who wanted to protect themselves from other populist movements. After President Sánchez Cerro's assassination in 1933, the group came under the leadership of Luis A. Flores, who sought to mobilise mass support and even set up a Blackshirt movement in imitation of the Italian model. Óscar R. Benavides, who took office after the assassination, also led an authoritarian fascist regime from 1933 to 1939. During his government, Benavides built a strong relationship with Peru's business leaders.

The Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana (APRA) was inspired by Víctor Raúl Haya de la Torre's observations of fascist and communist parties during his time in Europe. During the 1930s APRA developed certain similarities with fascism, such as calling for a new national community and founding a small paramilitary wing, but then it very quickly changed course and emerged as a mainstream social democratic party.

In 1944, APRA formed the National Democratic Front political coalition beside the far-right Reformist Democratic Party and the fascist Revolutionary Union party, excluding the Peruvian Communist Party. The alliance led to the triumph of ultraconservative José Luis Bustamante y Rivero becoming president the same year. The overall defeat of Revolutionary Union in the 1944 elections shook confidence in the movement and it faded.

21st century

Ultraconservative groups began to emerge in Peru around 2017 when proposals to introduce gender studies to education curricula occurred. La Resistencia Dios, Patria y Familia, a self-described Fujimorist and far-right organization, has been independently described as neofascist. Members have been seen using fascist symbolism, wearing black uniforms, using the swastika, waving the Cross of Burgundy and gesturing the fascist salute at events, which was described as being similar to the Nazi salute. La Resistencia has denied its support of fascism.

References