Ollanta Humala, a former nationalist military officer ranked second for next April 9th Peruvian presidential election based on polls, defined himself as a "revolutionary" willing to fight against neoliberalism in his country, and denied receiving any advise from Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
 
In an interview with Clarín daily, Humala replied: "I am not a dangerous man," when he was reminded of the fact that he headed a failed coup d'etat in 2000 against then Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori. Further, he rejected claims of human right violations against peasants during the fight against guerrillas group Sendero Luminoso (Shinning Path), AP reported.
 
Even though they share many ideological standpoints, Humala clarified that the Venezuelan ruler is not giving him any advice. "I have come closer not only to Venezuela, but also to Bolivia, and Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil."
 
He added he would differ from Chávez in his likely future relations with the United States. "I am anti-imperialist, but the US is the most important economy worldwide, and it would be absurd to turn your back on that."