Carlos Añaños talks about the electoral campaign and the urgent agenda.
How do you see the new government after a month?
It has been a surprise. It has a quite interesting level of acceptance, which makes me happy. But it’s not a blank check. The people wait for the response to their demands. The issue of citizen security is very important. I listened to the president at CADE and I was happy to hear him say something: “I am a transitional president.” All democrats hope that he will leave us with clean, transparent, democratic and neat elections.
What should I prioritize in these few months?
You have to be more firm with security. Entrepreneurs are coerced and blackmailed. It’s difficult to do a company like that. People cry out for peace. It is non-negotiable. The second thing is to carry out an orderly transition process. The third thing is to stop the spending carnival. If the cash is not taken care of, we are going to skyrocket the fiscal deficit and then we are going to have a debt over GDP of 60% or 70%. You should put the handbrake on waste. I give you the vote of confidence, but we are going to be vigilant. If you don’t comply it would be a serious mistake.
Is there a trust problem in Peru?
Seen macro, Peru still enjoys a certain important degree of confidence. But it’s not just macroeconomic confidence. The trust to be built is the rule of law. That involves strengthening the institutions. And a big mistake by Congress is to enter into spending initiatives. I hope they review several reforms. I call on the premier and the president.
And let them check those from Movadef on the lists.
I think so. Political parties cannot lead delinquents and criminals. They have to be responsible. Look what we have right now: ‘cheap salaries’ and so on. It outrages me. We cannot be complicit and lead terrorists and drug traffickers.
What would you do with Reinfo?
What is the vision of Peru in mining, 20 years from now? Reinfo is a little patch, a band-aid to get out of the moment. First you have to separate the wheat from the chaff. We must distinguish between illegal and informal mining. Firmness against illegality, let the full weight of the law fall. We cannot continue destroying our nature. We cannot keep criminals. More than 500 thousand depend on informal mining. If we look at families, there are two million people who live thanks to it. They have to have a future and hope. It is their Peru, it is their land too. The legislature must create a structure that helps them formalize. Why doesn’t the BCR buy gold? They are a productive engine. People need respect and a dignified life.
Would subsoil legislation change?
The subsoil belongs to everyone, the 34 million Peruvians. Not from a few. It should not be used as a political instrument. Our big problem is the long-term vision.
What would you do with Petroperú?
When I ask what Petroperú’s role is, I hear silence. We must understand what the role of Petroperú is. If it is a macroeconomic stabilization system that equalizes the cost of oil, you should see it differently. But if it is used as petty cash for politicians to destroy, it is very complicated. The second question is how to make it successful. Create a sovereign fund, get private investment, accept foreign investment… Petroperú owes US$7 billion. And it pays US$500 million a year in interest alone. How many hospitals and schools could be built? A general audit must be carried out and the corrupt should be brought down.
Do they see us better outside?
Peru is going to reach US$90 billion in reserves. Debt to GDP is 32%. We grow 4.1%. We are going to spend US$75 billion in exports. Peru has grown when it has felt a little peace. Luis Carranza responded “we didn’t do anything” when asked how they managed to grow 9% during Alan García’s government. We don’t bother entrepreneurs. We let them work.
Andrés Oppenheimer said “Peru grows at night while politicians sleep.”
Many would have to be sent on vacation. There are no separate ropes, but the Peruvian is resilient. We want them to let us work. I call these ten years “the requested decade”: 8 presidents, 19 premiers, 320 ministers. And we have not improved social gaps, except those of congressmen. And enjoy the good turkey at Christmas.
Peru Moderno fell into chaos after his departure.
The problem is the system. The system is made for corrupt people and thieves to capitalize. Many parties are born to be business. And now they charge the candidates. Are we going to charge for a position?
There is a charge for signatures and for applying. And then the salary goes down.
How do you expect the person who has paid to apply not to steal? It’s not that people haven’t decided who to vote for. The people are going to vote out of pain, resentment, revenge or hatred. Congress should not insult the intelligence of the people.
PLEASE NOTE
“I know Carlos Álvarez, I have seen his capacity for indignation. I was very sorry that he did not go to CADE. I would have liked to hear his proposals.”
“If Mr. López Chau represents a democratic left that maintains the economic chapter and freedom of investment, I think it is valid.”
“The extreme right and the extreme left work for populism and polarity.”
“I am reading the work plan that López Aliaga presented at CADE.”
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