Turmoil in Peru

In response to “Shining Path Brightens in Lima’s Slums,” Commentary, April 17:

Jorge Castaneda’s column suggests that the so-called coup in Peru is “denounced” by Peruvians, when in fact over 70% of them support it. Castaneda calls the Shining Path an “ostensible adversary invoked for the necessity of the coup,” but those at risk see the threat as very real: More than 25,000 people have died at their hands since 1980. Does our haste in the U.S. to demonize President Alberto Fujimori have anything to do with his surname?

TIM GOULD

Los Angeles