Revolt in Arequipa

Sprawled in a volcanic valley of the Andean foothills, Arequipa is the traditional hotbed of Peruvian rebellion. Two years ago the military coup which hoisted General Manuel Odria into the presidency started in an Arequipa barracks. Last week another revolutionary struggle briefly shook the town; it was a civilian assault on Odria's militaristic regime.

The incident began when students at the American Independence High School and St. Augustine's University walked out in protest against a sudden junta decision barring General Ernesto Montagne, the sole opposition candidate against Odria (TIME, June 12), from the July 2 presidential election. Police cracked down; in ensuing skirmishes two youths were shot. Then civilian rebels led by Montagne's vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Francisco Mostajo, came out shooting from behind street barricades of paving stones. They seized the city hall, airport, police barracks and radio station. The rebels broadcast: "Dr. Mostajo has been named president of the Civilian Revolutionary Government pledged to end the tyranny of the Lima Military Junta . . ."

Next morning, reinforced by garrison troops moved down at night from nearby Tingo, Odria's forces counterattacked, recaptured all points, crushed the rebellion. At least 50 civilians and eight soldiers were killed, scores more wounded. By noon, except for occasional sniping from rooftops, the uprising was over. Rebel Chieftain Mostajo was arrested, then released because the army feared that jailing would put him in a martyr's niche.

In Lima the junta sent secret police scurrying into the capital's luxurious Club Nacional, arrested dozens of "plotters." Blamed for the uprising were Montagne's small, conservative Civic Action party, the outlawed, impotent APRA party, and the surprised, feeble Peruvian Communists. Triumphant Odria told his countrymen: "The people of Peru have shown their unanimous support in my favor. The Arequipa rebellion was merely the exploitation of children and unwise ones who were tossed to sacrifice by wicked people." His onetime electoral rival Montagne was under arrest, awaiting deportation. In next month's election, Odria would be the only candidate.

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