Alejandro Toledo (Alejandro Celestino Toledo Manrique) (born 28 March 1946) is a Peruvian politician. He was the President of Peru from 2001 to 2006. He was elected in 2001 defeating former President Alan García. Toledo came to international prominence after leading the opposition against President Alberto Fujimori, who held the presidency from 1990 to 2000. After his presidential term, Toledo left Peru and went back to the USA where he was invited by a private university to "think about the future" while his wife teaches at the same institution. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 750 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1835 × 1467 pixel, file size: 342 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Fotografía de Alejandro Toledo Manrique dando un discurso como Presidente de la Republica del Perú en Itamaraty, durante la 1ª Reunión de Jefes de... List of presidents of Peru : The Independence War 1821-1822: José de San Martín 1822-1823: José de La Mar 1823: Manuel Salazar y Baquíjano 1823: José de la Riva Agüero 1823-1824: José Bernardo de Tagle 1824-1826: Simón Bolívar 1826-1827: Andrés... July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 156 days remaining. ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 156 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Raúl Diez Canseco is a Peruvian businessman and politician. ... David Waisman is a peruvian politician. ... Valentín Paniagua Corazao (b. ... Alan Garc rez (born May 23, 1949 in Lima) was President of Peru from 1985 to 1990. ... March 28 is the 87th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (88th in leap years). ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Cabana is a city in Peru. ... Peru Possible (Spanish: Perú Posible) is a Peruvian political party. ... Eliane Karp and her husband Alejandro Toledo, May 10, 2003 Eliane Karp, born in Paris, France, in 1955, to Jewish parents. ... Alan Greenspan, former chairman, United States Federal Reserve. ... March 28 is the 87th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (88th in leap years). ... 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A politician is an individual who is a formally recognized and active member of a government, or a person who influences the way a society is governed through an understanding of political power and group dynamics. ... Established in the Constitution of 1993, the President of the Republic is the Chief of the State and represents the republic in official international matters. ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Alan Gabriel Ludwig García Pérez (born May 23, 1949 in Lima) is the current President of Peru after winning the 2006 elections on June 4, 2006 in a run-off against Union for Peru candidate Ollanta Humala. ... Alberto Kenya Fujimori, (born in Peru[1] on July 28, 1938), also known as Kenya Fujimori (藤森 謙也 Fujimori Kenya), was President of Peru from July 28, 1990 to November 17, 2000. ... MCMXC redirects here; for the Enigma album, see MCMXC a. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Early years

Toledo is one of sixteen children of a family of indigenous campesinos in the town of Cabana, province of Pallasca, Ancash department. He grew up in Chimbote, a city on Peru's northern coast. His father was a bricklayer and his mother was a fishmonger. As a child, he worked as a shoeshine boy. A Hupa man. ... Campesino may refer to A simple farmer is referred to as a campesino in Spanish. ... Cabana is a city in Peru. ... Chimbote is the largest city in the Ancash Region of Peru. ...

Toledo studied at the local state school, G.U.E. San Pedro. At age 19, with the guidance of members of the Peace Corps, Toledo enrolled at the University of San Francisco on a one-year scholarship. He completed his bachelor's degree in economics by obtaining a partial soccer scholarship and working part-time pumping gas. Later on, he attended Stanford University, where he received a Master's in Economics, a Master's in Education, and completed his PhD in Education (in 1992) at the Stanford University School of Education. After working abroad, he became a professor of Economics in the Universidad del Pacífico in Peru. Peace Corps volunteers usually serve for 27 months. ... University of San Francisco (USF) is a private Jesuit and Catholic University in San Francisco, California, United States. ... Face-to-face trading interactions on the New York Stock Exchange trading floor. ... Football is a ball game played between two teams of eleven players, each attempting to win by scoring more goals than their opponent. ... Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated Ph. ... The Stanford University School of Education, also known as SUSE, is one of the leading schools of education in the United States. ... Universidad del Pacífico Universidad del Pacífico (UP) is a private university in Lima, Peru. ...

Professional career

Before being elected president, Toledo worked as a consultant for various international organizations, including the United Nations, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He has also been a regular professor at [ESAN] http://www.esan.edu.pe/, Peru's leading Business School. From [1991] to [1994], he was an affiliated researcher in the field of international development at the [Harvard Institute for International Development]. Toledo was also guest professor at the University of Waseda in Tokyo and at the Japan Foundation. The foundation of the U.N. The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate co-operation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress and human rights issues. ... Logo of the World Bank The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, in Romance languages: BIRD), better known as the World Bank, is an international organization whose original mission was to finance the reconstruction of nations devastated by WWII. Now, its mission has expanded to fight poverty by means... The Inter-American Development Bank (preferred abbreviation: IDB; but frequently given as IADB), was established in 1959 to support Latin American and Caribbean economic/social development and regional integration by lending mainly to public institutions. ... The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations to deal with labour issues. ... The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), (in French: Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques, OCDE) is an international organisation of those developed countries that accept the principles of representative democracy and a free market economy. ... Waseda University ), often abbreviated to Sodai ) is the top private university in Japan, known for the liberal culture symbolized by its motto Independence of Learning. Apart from University of Tokyo, it is one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in Japan. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Japan Foundation (jap. ...

Among Toledo's publications are works on economic growth and on structural reforms. However, his latest book, Las Cartas sobre la mesa, describes his political career which led him to found the party Perú Posible ("Peru Possible"). Peru Possible (Spanish: Perú Posible) is a Peruvian political party. ...

Political career

Toledo entered politics as an independent candidate for the presidency (gaining 3% of the electorate) in the 1995 election in which Fujimori was ultimately re-elected. He founded the Perú Posible party in 1999 and declared his intent to run in the 2000 election. Despite a constitutional controversy about his eligiblity to serve a third term, Fujimori once again announced his candidacy. The 1995 national election in Peru was won by Alberto Fujimori Categories: | | ... Peru Possible (Spanish: Perú Posible) is a Peruvian political party. ... Judicial System Supreme Court of the Republic Superior Courts of Justice Courts of First Instance Courts of Peace Elections Presidential elections National elections Peruvian Constituent Assembly elections, 1978 Political Parties A.P.R.A. Union for Peru List of political parties in Peru Region & Local government Regional Governments Governors Provincial...

A relatively low-profile politician, Toledo suddenly found himself leader of the opposition against Fujimori, receiving the support of most of the other presidential candidates [1]. Despite this, Fujimori managed to beat Toledo, amid allegations of electoral fraud. Toledo refused to participate on a second round against Fujimori (since none of them received at least 50% of the vote) and unsuccessfully petitioned to have the election annulled [2]. He later announced his withdrawal [3], but the Jurado Nacional de Elecciones didn't receive this petition and proceeded with the vote. He received 17% of the vote [4].

On July 28, 2000, Peruvian Independence Day, Fujimori assumed the presidency for a third term. Toledo led a group of protesters towards Congress, but was met with tear gas. Of the tens of thousands on the streets, many were peaceful, but others threw rocks and set federal buildings on fire. At least 80 people -- demonstrators and police -- were injured in the violence. Six persons were killed when a bank was set ablaze.[5] Toledo's followers blamed the head of the National Intelligence Service, Vladimiro Montesinos, for causing this fire; supporters of Fujimori blamed Toledo for instigating the first civil unrest in the capital in a decade. July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 156 days remaining. ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Vladimiro Montesinos Vladimiro Lenin Montesinos Torres (born May 20, 1945) was the long-time, powerful head of Perus intelligence service, Servicio de Inteligencia Nacional (SIN), under President Alberto Fujimori. ...

On November 2000, amid growing allegations of fraud and corruption within his administration, Fujimori agreed for new elections to be held in 2001 in which he would no longer be a candidate. While attending at the APEC forum in Brunei, Fujimori's party lost control of the Congress. Fujimori then went to Japan from where he submitted his resignation by fax and claimed Japanese citizenship. 2000 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December This is a timeline for events in November, 2000. ... APEC may refer to: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Action Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour Advanced Placement European Civilization Atlantic Provinces Economic Council This article consisting of a 4-letter acronym or initialism is a disambiguation page — a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ...

After the fall of Fujimori, the new president of the Peruvian Congress, Valentín Paniagua, became interim president and oversaw the already planned new elections on May 29, 2001. Toledo won after a close run-off election with former President Alan García of the APRA party. His margin of victory was slim (52.5% vs 47.5%), particularly in light of García's largely repudiated earlier presidential term (1985 to 1990). Toledo's inauguration took place on 28 July 2001. Valentín Paniagua Corazao (b. ... May 29 is the 149th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (150th in leap years). ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Runoff voting is a voting system used in single-seat elections. ... Alan Gabriel Ludwig García Pérez (born May 23, 1949 in Lima) is the current President of Peru after winning the 2006 elections on June 4, 2006 in a run-off against Union for Peru candidate Ollanta Humala. ... The American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (APRA) also known as the Partido Aprista Peruano (Peruvian Aprista Party) is a Peruvian left-wing social democratic political party. ... July 28 is the 209th day (210th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 156 days remaining. ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Presidency

During the five years of his presidency, the Peruvian economy grew at an average of six percent, one of the highest growth rates in Latin America. Inflation averaged 1.5 percent and fiscal deficit went as low as 0.2 percent. However, according to the Council on Foreign Relations (March 10, 2006)[6], the Peruvian federal government has yet to implement effective means of distributing new funds. Despite increased national wealth, living conditions for most Peruvians remain unimproved as a result of Toledo's inability to address these problems. This and other allegations of self-assessed salaries for his wife and himself earned Alejandro Toledo an approval rating of under ten percent—the lowest of any president in Latin America. Also, the New York Times reported on December of 2006 that Toledo had been charged in a forgery scheme to make his emerging political party eligible for the 2000 elections.[7]

In the social area, in 2005, Toledo's administration implemented the program "Juntos" against extreme poverty, this implied a conditional cash transfer to the poor. In the first year the budget was 120 million new soles and 100 thousand families benefited from it.

During his presidency Toledo addressed the task of reducing poverty, however in a 2003 speech at CFR [8], experts sad he had not been able to make significant progress on this issue during his final years in office.

Alejandro Toledo (left) with Chile's former President, Ricardo Lagos.

Allegedly the Peruvian economy grew steadily during 60 months at an average rate above 6%, then 6.4% in 2005, driven by private investments and exports. Private investment was increasing significantly at the same time, however, no documents are cited for these statistics. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2598x1847, 490 KB) Reason for deletion request: This photograph was produced by Agência Brasil, a public Brazilian news agency. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2598x1847, 490 KB) Reason for deletion request: This photograph was produced by Agência Brasil, a public Brazilian news agency. ... Ricardo Froilán Lagos Escobar (born March 2, 1938) is a lawyer, economist and social democrat politician, who served as president of Chile from 2000 to 2006. ...

Much investment took place in the mining, commerce and agribusiness sectors. During his government the country risk was among the lowest in the Latin American region. On July 2006 it was at 168 points.

The economic recovery and the measures taken in the administration of the tax policy have contributed to an increase in tax collection. The national tax burden reached 13.6% of GDP in 2005 and 14.9% in 2006.

Alejandro Toledo (center), next to Lima's mayor, Luis Castañeda Lossio (left).

The Peruvian economy showed one of the lowest inflation rates in the world. Still, the peruvian people perceived Toledo as isolated from the electorate, ignoring his campaign promises to the working class, and resented him for being caught up in a swarm of corruption scandals involving many of his associates. Image File history File links Tren_Urbano_Lima_3. ... Image File history File links Tren_Urbano_Lima_3. ... Luis Castañeda Lossio is the current mayor of Lima, Peru. ...

Toledo, being a staunch supporter of the Bush administration, also promoted foreign markets during 2001-2006 as a way to advance the economy of Peru. In addition, Toledo offered absolute support for the U.S. military campaign currently taking place in the Middle East.

Foreign policy

Alejandro Toledo along with South American heads of state, during the investiture of Chile's President Michelle Bachelet

One of Toledo's major legacies could be the free trade agreement (TLC) reached with the US, which is supposed to remove barriers to trade and services between the two countries. Unfortunately the disparities of the two countries coul leave Peru at a disadvantage while benefiting corporations in the USA. The pact currently awaits the ratification by the Peruvian and US Congress said to take place in 2006. Toledo has also pushed for an FTA with Thailand, which was agreed to be implemented during 2006. In South America, Toledo has encouraged the start of the development of a highway to open Brazil and Bolivia to Pacific ports, aimed at enhancing the economy of southern Peru, and opening Peru to the trade flows from Brazil towards Asia. Also, he is considered as the promoter of the South American Community of Nations. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (3506x2337, 495 KB) Viña del Mar (Chile) - Presidente Lula posa para a foto oficial ao lado dos demais chefes de Estado e de Governo durante posse de Michelle Bachelet, nova presidente do Chile. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (3506x2337, 495 KB) Viña del Mar (Chile) - Presidente Lula posa para a foto oficial ao lado dos demais chefes de Estado e de Governo durante posse de Michelle Bachelet, nova presidente do Chile. ... Verónica Michelle Bachelet Jeria (born September 29, 1951) is a center-left politician and the current President of Chile—the first woman to hold this position in the countrys history. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... The South American Community of Nations (CSN) (Spanish: , Portuguese: , Dutch: ) will be a continent-wide free trade zone that will unite two existing free-trade organizations—Mercosur and the Andean Community—eliminating tariffs for non-sensitive products by 2014 and sensitive products by 2019. ...

See also

• Politics of Peru

The Government of Peru is in a state of ongoing democratization. ...

External links

• Alejandro Toledo: President of Peru
• Alejandro Toledo's commencement speach at Stanford
• Peace Corps biography of Alejandro Toledo
• Presentation by Alejandro Toledo about Economic Growth and Poverty Eradication - Feb 2007
• "From president of Peru to just Palo Alto guy" by Tyler Bridges in San Francisco Chronicle February 11, 2007