He has also provoked the private sector and awakened it to its responsibilities before the Venezuelan people. But on the negative side, he has established a one-man rule, and replaced the excessive cronyism of Venezuela with a climate of violence. Furthermore, the structure of government is one in which the President has ultimate authority in choosing everybody in several branches of government. Per capita income has dropped quite significantly since the 1970s, and the country has developed a culture of hate and confrontation which will take many years and much prosperity to undo. In Peru a major problem arguably is the development of a facade of democracy which is developed and supported by the masses.
Power is concentrated and the necessity of accountability is questioned.
For example, judges in the highest courts in Peru have no opportunity for tenure, meaning they are subject to Presidential influence. In addition, Fujimori has made a deliberate effort to weaken the national legislature. There was strong condemnation of the prevalence of electoral fraud in the recent presidential election. The discussion centered around two central questions. Speakers uniformly agreed on the importance of collective action and constructive engagement between countries in the western hemisphere, but it is critical that long-lasting democratic values take root in the hearts and minds of the citizens of Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru.