ALAN Garcia staged a remarkable comeback in Peru’s run-off election, beating a fiery nationalist backed by Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez to regain control of the country 16 years after his first presidential term ended in economic ruin and rebel violence.

Alan Garcia staged a remarkable comeback in Peru’s run-off election, beating a fiery nationalist backed by Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez to regain control of the country 16 years after his first presidential term ended in economic ruin and rebel violence.

AT 6ft 3in, former Peruvian president Alan Garcia strikes an imposing figure in his bid for re-election. But he also casts a long shadow of dark memories.

A FIERY nationalist who has rattled the elite seemed assured of a spot in Peru’s presidential run-off, but the race for second remained too close to call yesterday.

PERUVIANS were voting in a tight presidential contest yesterday that could put their Andean nation on a leftist track akin to Venezuela and Bolivia, giving them their first female leader or offer a former president a second chance.

About 150 followers of a retired army major seized a police station early today in a remote Andean town, demanding the resignation of President Alejandro Toledo. At least seven people were wounded in a shootout during the takeover.