Politics and occultism in Latin America and Peru

Abstract

Occultism is a practice of ancestral origins that has developed throughout the world from different cultures. This article introduces us to the context of the history of its practice since pre-Columbian times and then focuses on the occult magical-religious activities and beliefs of different Latin American and particularly Peruvian political figures. The information provided by journalistic research, documentary and academic sources is used as a basis. Thus, the analysis of the cultural phenomenon of religious magic and its practices is developed from a theoretical and conceptual perspective; to then approach different cases. Likewise, it is proposed from a sociocultural and anthropological approach, the full validity of these occult practices and in the highest spheres of power in societies, being therefore a practice still very much in force within the belief system of many people of all economic and sociocultural conditions. It is necessary to develop study methodologies that allow an interdisciplinary approach to such a complex subject, which involves anthropological, historical, sociological and psychological aspects.