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Terruqueo

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Protest sign against the administration ofPedro Castillo,stating "Get out: Terrorists of the government"

Theterruqueois anegative campaigningand oftenracistmethod offearmongeringused inPeruthat involves describinganti-Fujimorists,left-wingpolitical opponents and those who are against theneoliberalstatus quoasterroristsor terrorist sympathizers, with the tactic primarily being used byright-wingparties andFujimoriststo create aculture of fear.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]United Nationsexperts have condemned the use of theterruqueo,describing it as an intimidation tactic used by the government.[8]

Etymology

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The termterruqueois the verbification of the wordterrucowhich derived from the wordterrorista,or "terrorist" in English, aneologismwhich originated from individuals inAyacuchodescribingShining Pathguerrillas during theinternal conflict in Peru.[5][9]Historian Carlos Aguire said that the -uco replaced the ending of the wordterroristabyQuechuaspeakers since they typically terminate words with -uco.[9]

Since the 1980s, the wordterrucohas been carelessly used by right-wing politicians in Peru to targetleft-wing,progressive and indigenous groups, with this baseless and often racist attack being called aterruqueo.[1][3][4][5][9][10]

History

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20th century

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Since the 1930s, the political elite of Peru used fear mongering tactics to influence the public by targeting foreigncommunistmovements according to historian Antonio Zapata of thePontifical Catholic University of Peru,beginning withJoseph Stalinand later withFidel Castro.[2]Terruqueosbegan to appear during the 1980s and would occur throughout Peru's internal conflict.[5][9][10]The basis of theterruqueobegan during the presidency ofFernando Belaúndewhen Legislative Decree 46 broadly defined terrorism as "any form of glorification or defense of the political discourse of subversive organizations".[1]

Fujimori government

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Into the 1990s,authoritarianpresidentAlberto Fujimoriutilizedterruqueoswith the help of theNational Intelligence Serviceto discredit those who opposed him, including dissenters from his own government, with political scientist Daniel Encinas saying that this would evolve into conservative politicians using the attack to target those opposed to Fujimori's neoliberal economic policies and that the right-wing used theterruqueoas a "strategy of manipulating the legacy of political violence".[5][6][9]Following the1992 Peruvian self-coup,Fujimori would broaden the definition of terrorism in an effort to criminalize as many actions possible to persecute left-wing political opponents.[1]The Fujimori government threatened activists and critics of thePeruvian Armed Forceswithlife imprisonment,describing such groups as the "legal arm" of terrorist groups.[11]Ultimately, aculture of fearwas created by Fujimori, with individuals fearing that they would be described as a terrorist.[7]

Discussing Fujimori's actions, Fernando Velásquez Villalba states:[1]

[T]he figure of the terrorist was presented as the personification of evil. [...]The harshness of Fujimori's anti-terrorist legislation places the terrorist as the most dangerous enemy for society and the state. [...] In other words, a terrorist, no matter how long he fulfills his sentence, will never cease to be a terrorist. The enemy will always be the enemy and, therefore, if the terrorist is still alive, the era of terrorism, at least in some memories, is a latent fear and can therefore be repeated. [...] In addition to being slanderous, the ''terruqueo'' has served to awaken deep memories and fears of internal armed conflict. In addition, the ''terruqueo'' undermines the attempts of social organizations to create any form of opposition against the hegemonic elites. Thus, the ''terruqueo'' is, mainly, an attempt to control and monopolize political legitimacy, resorting to memories of the recent past. The fear of a repetition of the painful past is powerful enough to manipulate public opinion and criticize the various social protests.

Thus, using theterruqueo,according to Velásquez Villalba, Fujimori made himself a "permanent hero"and made left-wing ideologies an eternal enemy within Peru.[1]

21st century

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Theterruqueowould then become so prominent that political discussions in Peru often devolved into the attacks, especially during elections.[9]WhenOllanta Humala,who initially espoused a left-wing ideology, was involved in Peruvian politics, opponents used theterruqueoagainst him, even though he was a soldier in the army who fought directly against the insurgency.[6][9]The attack evolved into linking left-wing groups withHugo Chávezandchavismoas thecrisis in Venezuelabegan to unfold in the 2010s.[5]

2020 Peruvian protests

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Main article:2020 Peruvian protests

During the 2020 Peruvian protests againstManuel Merino,protesters whose motives were originally praised by the media were described as terrucos when they began to make labor rights demands.[12]CongresswomanMartha Chávezof the FujimoristPopular Forceparty described protesters as "vandals and extremists, undoubtedly linked to Shining Path orMRTA".[5]The protests, fueled by younger individuals who were not influenced by conservative governments and the armed forces were not affected by theterruqueosince they did not hold fearful memories from the historical conflict, with demonstrators often chanting "they messed with the wrong generation".[1]

2021 Peruvian elections

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Main article:2021 Peruvian general election

"When you go out to ask for rights, they say that you are a terrorist,... I know the country and they will not be able to shut me up,... The terrorists are hunger and misery, abandonment, inequality, injustice."

—Pedro Castillo, April 2021[13]

Theterruqueoattacks became even more frequent during the2021 Peruvian general electionwhenDaniel UrrestidescribedVerónika Mendozaas "Terrónika" and supporters ofKeiko Fujimori,daughter of Alberto Fujimori, attempted to linkPedro Castilloto terrorists.[9][14]Evencenter-rightpolitical parties such as thePurple Party(Partido Morado)were described as "Moradef", likening the party toMOVADEF.[9]

Terruqueoswere most intense against Castillo; he was portrayed as a "communist threat" that would bring "terrorism" and humanitarian disaster similar to Venezuela.[1]Media organizations in Peru would use theterruqueoalong withfake newsin an effort to support Fujimori.[6][12]The Guardiandescribed links to guerrilla groups such as the Shining Path as "incorrect", and theAssociated Presssaid that allegations by Peruvian media of links to Shining Path were "unsupported".[13][15]Conservative politicianRafael López Aliagawould reportedly call for death in two separate incidents; in May 2021 he allegedly chanted "Death to communism! Death toCerrón!Death to Castillo! "to supporters and at the Respect My Vote rally that was organized byWillax TVownerErasmo Wong Luon 26 June 2021, he supposedly stated "Death to communism, get out of here, filthy communists, you have awakened the lion, to the streets!"[6][16][17][18]

2022–2023 Peruvian political protests

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Main article:2022–2023 Peruvian political protests

When the 2022–2023 Peruvian political protests occurred, right-wing groups and the government ofDina Boluarteused theterruqueoto label protesters as terrorists, providing an excuse for authorities to use violence with impunity.[19][20]ThePeruvian Armed Forceswould use the tactic to describe protest groups and those who supported a new constitution as terrorists.[21]Experts of the United Nations condemned its usage during the protests.[8]

Analysis

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The narrative doesn’t have to be logical. It just needs to be emotive,... The government needs a monster, to create moral panic. This just shows that memory is a battle.

—Eduardo González,Truth and Reconciliationsociologist[2]

Analysts state thatterruqueosare detrimental todemocracyin Peru as they suppress ideas of various political groups and occasionally targethuman rights groups,promotingpolitical polarizationand ultimatelypolitical violence.[1][6][9][22]Theterruqueoappeals to fearpresent in Peruvians of older generations, with the tactic relying on the emotions of audience.[1][2]According to Fernando Velásquez Villalba,terruqueosare a latent phenomenon that appear more frequently in times of crisis.[23]

Political use

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Using theterruqueo tothreaten individuals with astatus quo bias,leftist andprogressivegroups, along with human rights groups, have been targeted with the tactic.[6]Attacks resulted in less support for left-wing groups in Peru, withAmericas Quarterlywriting that despite theTruth and Reconciliation Commissionfinding that left-wing groups distanced themselves and even prevented violence during the internal conflict, the groups were still seen disapprovingly in Peru.[5]

Racism

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See also:Racism in Peru

The use of theterruqueohas specifically linked indigenous and "serrano"Peruvians to terrorism.[6]In the bookBuscando un inca,historianAlberto Flores Galindowrote:[6]

‘Senderista’ was replaced by ‘terrorist’ and this word became over time a synonym of “people from Ayacucho”, which in turn was equivalent to anyone who was Indian or mestizo, was poorly dressed, or made a deficient use of Spanish... To be called “people from Ayacucho” was to admit to have incurred in the antiterrorist law. In this manner, the end of the war in 1984, became an onslaught of the western side of Peru against its Andean region.

United Nationsexperts condemned the fear mongering tactic, saying it was an act of intimidation that stigmatized human rights workers, indigenous individuals and rural groups.[8]During the protests in 2023, Edgar Stuardo Ralón, Vice President of theInter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR),stated thatterruqueoscreated "an environment of permission and tolerance towards discrimination, stigmatization and institutional violence".[22]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcdefghijVillalba, Fernando Velásquez (2022)."A TOTALIDADE NEOLIBERAL-FUJIMORISTA: ESTIGMATIZAÇÃO E COLONIALIDADE NO PERU CONTEMPORÂNEO".Revista Brasileira de Ciências Sociais.37(109): e3710906.doi:10.1590/3710906/2022.S2CID251877338.terruqueo, ou seja, a construção artificial, racista e conveniente de um inimigo sociopolítico para deslegitimar formas de protesto social
  2. ^abcdTegel, Simeon (2023-03-21)."Peru's far right is reviving decades-old terrorism narratives to undermine protests".Coda Media.Retrieved2023-04-02.
  3. ^abTegel, Simeon (12 January 2023)."Discontent, death toll rise as Peru's poor demand change".The Washington Post.That alleged racism has taken the form of terruqueo, a uniquely Peruvian term that describes the smearing of critics by falsely accusing them of terrorism.... It's still used routinely by the Peruvian far right.
  4. ^ab"From Peru, its terruqueo and saqueo: a continuum of (racist) violence".Justice Visions.29 March 2023.Retrieved2023-04-02.
  5. ^abcdefghFeline Freier, Luisa; Castillo Jara, Soledad (13 January 2021).""Terruqueo" and Peru's Fear of the Left ".Americas Quarterly.Retrieved2021-11-18.It was in this context that Martha Chávez,... accused demonstrators of being linked to the terrorist left... As absurd as it may seem, this kind of attack is common in Peru, and recently there is even a name for it: terruqueo, the mostly groundless accusation of being connected to once powerful communist terrorist organizations.... After the end of the conflict, the term came to be used carelessly and often as a racially charged political insult, targeting progressive or left-wing politicians or activists, organizations committed to the defense of human rights, and, at least historically, people of indigenous origin.
  6. ^abcdefghiMendoza, Marina (1 March 2022)."The political use of terrorism in the 2021 Peruvian presidential campaign".Revista Universitas(36).Universidad Politécnica Salesiana:243–268.ISSN1390-8634.[permanent dead link]
  7. ^abBurt, Jo-Marie (2006). ""Quien habla es terrorista": The Political Use of Fear in Fujimori's Peru ".Latin American Research Review.41(3): 32–62.
  8. ^abc"Peru: UN experts call for end to violence during demonstrations, urge respect for human rights".Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.Retrieved2023-03-09.
  9. ^abcdefghij"Qué es el" terruqueo "en Perú y cómo influye en la disputa presidencial entre Fujimori y Castillo".BBC News(in Spanish).Retrieved2021-11-18.
  10. ^abAsensio, Raúl; Camacho, Gabriela; González, Natalia; Grompone, Romeo; Pajuelo Teves, Ramón; Peña Jimenez, Omayra; Moscoso, Macarena; Vásquez, Yerel; Sosa Villagarcia, Paolo (August 2021).El Profe: Cómo Pedro Castillo se convirtió en presidente del Perú y qué pasará a continuación(in Spanish) (1 ed.).Lima, Peru:Institute of Peruvian Studies.pp. 13–24.ISBN978-612-326-084-2.Retrieved17 November2021.
  11. ^Guriev, Sergei (2023).Spin dictators: the changing face of tyranny in the 21st century.Princeton University Press.pp. 92–104.ISBN9780691224473.
  12. ^abMitrovic, Mijail (30 December 2021)."At the fabric of history: Peru's political struggle under (and against) the pandemic".Dialectical Anthropology.45(4): 431–446.doi:10.1007/s10624-021-09634-5.PMC8716181.PMID34980936.
  13. ^ab"Students' struggles pushed Peru teacher to run for president".Associated Press.18 April 2021.Retrieved22 April2021.
  14. ^"Peru Processes the Death of Abimael Guzmán".The New Yorker.2021-09-19.Retrieved2021-11-18.
  15. ^Collyns, Dan (5 May 2021)."Son of the soil Pedro Castillo promises a presidency for Peru".The Guardian.Retrieved7 May2021.
  16. ^"Elecciones Perú: investigan a periodistas de Willax por conspiración".Deutsche Welle(in European Spanish). 19 July 2021.Retrieved2021-07-20.
  17. ^"Fiscalía de Perú investiga a periodistas por llamar a un golpe de estado en televisión".The Independent(in Spanish). 2021-07-19.Retrieved2021-07-20.
  18. ^"Keiko Fujimori deslinda de la violencia que incita López Aliaga | POLITICA".Peru21(in Spanish). 2021-06-29.Retrieved2021-07-20.
  19. ^Loanes, Ellen (2023-01-14)."Peru's violent unrest shows no signs of stopping".Vox.Retrieved2023-01-15.
  20. ^"CIDH llama al" diálogo amplio "ante" clima de extrema polarización "en Perú".EFE(in Spanish).Retrieved2023-01-13.
  21. ^"Dircote terruquea a dirigentes de Ayacucho en feria inaugurada por Dina Boluarte".Wayka(in Spanish). 2023-05-24.Retrieved2023-05-25.
  22. ^ab"CIDH llama al" diálogo amplio "ante" clima de extrema polarización "en Perú".EFE(in Spanish).Archivedfrom the original on 16 January 2023.Retrieved2023-01-13.
  23. ^Villalba, Fernando Velásquez (2022)."A TOTALIDADE NEOLIBERAL-FUJIMORISTA: ESTIGMATIZAÇÃO E COLONIALIDADE NO PERU CONTEMPORÂNEO".Revista Brasileira de Ciências Sociais.37(109): e3710906.doi:10.1590/3710906/2022.S2CID251877338.terruqueo, ou seja, a construção artificial, racista e conveniente de um inimigo sociopolítico para deslegitimar formas de protesto social
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