Fernando Belaúnde Terry is a towering figure in Peruvian politics, having served as president of Peru twice, first from 1963 to 1968, and then from 1980 to 1985. Born on October 7, 1912, in Lima, Belaúnde came from a family of the Peruvian intellectual elite. His father, Rafael Belaúnde, was a former Prime Minister, and his mother belonged to an influential family. From a young age, he showed a deep interest in social and political issues, as well as a passion for architecture, which he studied at the University of Texas and the University of Miami.
Belaúnde began his professional career as an architect and urban planner. Upon returning to Peru, he taught at the Catholic University of Peru and worked on several significant architectural projects across the country. At the same time, he became increasingly involved in politics, seeking to integrate urban development with social reforms. In 1956, he founded the Popular Action party (Acción Popular), a centrist and reformist movement that advocated for national development through infrastructure improvements and the integration of marginalized regions.
In 1963, Belaúnde was elected president of Peru. His first term was marked by an ambitious infrastructure program, particularly focused on road construction and social housing, with the goal of developing rural areas and integrating the country’s interior. One of his flagship projects was the construction of the Trans-Amazonian Highway, which aimed to connect Peru’s Pacific coast with the remote Amazon regions. However, Belaúnde faced many economic challenges, including rising inflation and conflicts with major foreign companies, particularly in the mining and oil sectors. His government was overthrown in 1968 by a military coup led by General Juan Velasco Alvarado, just as Belaúnde was attempting to nationalize certain foreign oil companies.
After spending time in exile in the United States and France, Belaúnde returned to Peruvian politics in the 1970s, taking advantage of the relative failure of Velasco’s military reforms. In 1980, he was re-elected president in the first democratic elections following the end of military rule. His second term was marked by efforts to restore democracy and revive the economy, though the global economic crisis and the rise of the Maoist insurgency group Shining Path made governing difficult. Belaúnde pursued liberal economic policies, encouraged foreign investment, and restarted infrastructure projects to modernize the country.
However, his government was criticized for its handling of the Shining Path insurgency, which continued to gain strength during the 1980s. By the end of his second term in 1985, the country’s security and economic situation had deteriorated, leading to the election of Alan García as his successor.
Despite the challenges faced during his presidency, Fernando Belaúnde remains a respected figure in Peruvian politics. He is remembered for his defense of democracy, his commitment to rural development, and his firm opposition to authoritarian regimes. After retiring from active politics, he continued to be an influential voice in public debate until his death on June 4, 2002.