Why Do Peruvians Only Unite in Times of Crisis?

Unity and Peruvian Solidarity: A Reflection on What We Can Achieve Together, Even in Times of Prosperity

I want to begin this reflection with a sincere thank you to my friends and my "L" class from Claretiano School, who showed me that solidarity is more alive than ever in difficult times. A few months ago, a close family member was diagnosed with cancer, and the emotional and financial burden has been enormous for our family. My schoolmates, without hesitation, organized and managed to raise nearly half of what was needed for the post-operative treatment. This act of generosity and support exceeded all my expectations and reminded me that Peruvians, in times of crisis, can unite as one force.

This event made me think about the enormous capacity for solidarity that we Peruvians have, especially in difficult moments. A clear example of this was in 2017, during the devastating phenomenon of El Niño Costero. I clearly remember how the entire country mobilized to help people affected by the rains and floods. The phrase #UnaSolaFuerza became a symbol of unity, where citizens, businesses, and organizations came together to donate, help, and rebuild. This type of solidarity shows the best of our society: a Peru that rises in the face of adversity.

As comedian Dave Chappelle said, "Sometimes the funniest thing to say is mean" in his special "Equanimity & The Bird Revelation." Sometimes, the funniest or most resonant things with us are also the hardest or most difficult to accept. And I believe the same happens when we reflect on our society. We laugh when we say that "the worst enemy of a Peruvian is another Peruvian," and although it sounds harsh, it reflects a sad reality: many times, instead of celebrating the achievements of our compatriots, we look at them with envy. This doesn't only happen in Peru, but it seems to be rooted in our culture and is what often holds us back as a society. If we learn to transform those often cruel criticisms into opportunities to support and admire each other, we could really change our country. In the end, comedy and reflection have a lot in common: both invite us to look at what is wrong, but they also push us to imagine how we can do better.

A study conducted by the Harvard Business Review in 2016 about competitiveness in the workplace revealed that cultures that foster cooperation and mutual admiration, rather than rivalry, achieve higher levels of collective success. But in the case of Peru, we often find ourselves holding back those who are on an upward path, either out of fear that "they will do better than us" or because of a distrust toward someone else's success.

This contrasts notably with cultures like Argentina or Brazil, where support for their talents is palpable from my point of view. Argentinians support their artists and push them to stand out internationally, celebrating their successes as their own. Brazilians, for their part, are known for their passion and unconditional support for their athletes, regardless of the discipline. Whether it's a soccer match or a track competition, in Brazil, every game is lived as if it were the final of the world. This mentality of mutual support strengthens society and allows their talents to shine without fear of rejection or destructive criticism.

As a Peruvian society, we should ask ourselves: what is stopping us from supporting each other in the same way? If we could maintain the level of solidarity we show in crises during times of prosperity, there would be no one to stop us. The EPOG program places a strong emphasis on social justice and economic sustainability, two aspects that go hand in hand with collective success. Just as EPOG seeks inclusive growth globally, we should aspire to shared success as a country, where we all celebrate each other's achievements and see them as a reflection of what we can achieve together.

The solidarity I have recently witnessed has inspired me to think that if Peruvians could set aside envy and begin to admire the success of others, we could achieve incredible things as a society. We should change "toxic envy" into genuine admiration, and the fear that others might prosper more than us into a desire for us all to thrive together. It’s time to leave those destructive myths behind and move towards a culture of support and collaboration, just as the motto of my school says, "Being Claretian is about being better every day."

If Peruvians supported each other in good times with the same energy that we do in crises, there would be no force in the world that could stop our progress as a society. It is time we start working for a Peru where the success of one is celebrated by all, and where solidarity is our banner, not just in times of difficulty, but always.

What do you think? Do you believe we can change envy for admiration? Share your ideas, comment, and spread this reflection so that together we continue building a more united and stronger society.