If no candidate wins a majority, a runoff presidential election will be held several weeks later. Sporadic political rallies and demonstrations in Lima and other major cities are common during the election season. While rallies and marches in early 2001 have been largely peaceful, all such gatherings have the potential to turn violent.
Demonstrations frequently disrupt traffic on major highways and in downtown Lima.
Secondly, while there has been no evidence of anti-American sentiment in recent political demonstrations, American citizens in Peru are advised to use extra caution in Iquitos, the capital of Loreto Department, in late March. The Loreto Patriotic Front has called for a public demonstration during the last week in March to protest the presence of U.S. Government personnel stationed in the region in connection with anti-narcotics efforts. The U.S. Embassy in Lima has advised its personnel to exercise extra caution in Iquitos during this period. All American citizens in Peru are advised to avoid demonstrations and crowds, and to plan in-country travel in accordance with U.S. Embassy travel restrictions contained in the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Peru. American citizen visitors and residents in Peru are encouraged to monitor local newscasts to keep informed about upcoming political rallies, which are usually well publicized.