In Peru, labor unions and university students are threatening to strike on Tuesday, June 3, 2003, amidst a 30-day state of emergency initiated by President Alejandro Toledo last week. After a wave of protests by health care workers, teachers, and farmers, Toledo sent in police and troops to stop the various groups from blocking highways. The activists who are planning to strike intend to block economic activity in order to press for higher wages. Some worry that the strike will invite more violence, as one protester has already been killed. The unrest is mounting even though inflation is at a low, 1.5% and Peru leads Latin America in economic growth.
