Right blow at right time

The Peruvian president never allowed himself to appear complacent or lenient with the terrorists, himself becoming a pathetic hostage of a group of extremists in historical decadence. Humanitarianism does not imply weakness. Fujimori remained true to the end to his initial option: not to cede to the guerrillas more than mere survival and ostracism, in exchange for hundreds of innocent lives.

It was no longer possible to indefinitely prolong the suffering of those involved, leaving the country exhausted and the government weakened by the delay. Fujimori unleashed the right blow at the right time. It was a courageous act and a well- conducted operation, that restores his image in the international community and reaffirms his political command at home. As of now, terrorism has been virtually swept away from the South American continent. That is good news.

-- Jornal do Brasil, Rio de Janeiro