Pedro Castillo celebrates after being declared president-elect of Peru by election authorities, at his party´s campaign headquarters in Lima Peru (AP)Rural teacher-turned-political novice Pedro Castillo on Monday became the winner of Peru’s presidential election after the country’s longest electoral count in 40 years. Castillo, whose supporters included Peru’s poor and rural citizens, defeated right-wing politician Keiko Fujimori by just 44,000 votes. Electoral authorities released the final official results more than a month after the runoff election took place in the South American nation. Since surprising Peruvians and observers by advancing to the presidential runoff election, Castillo has softened his first proposals on nationalizing multinational mining and natural gas companies. “He suffered a lot in his childhood,” his wife, teacher Lilia Paredes, told AP while doing dishes at home.

Source: Indian Express July 20, 2021 02:58 UTC