In about a month, voters will go to the polls in Peru to settle a runoff between the top two presidential candidates. Each has connections to controversial South American leaders.

The leftist candidate is Ollanta Humala, a former rebel and a follower of Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chávez. Humala wants higher royalties from mining and drilling companies and favors protectionist trade policies and more central planning of the Peruvian economy. During his previous, unsuccessful run in 2006, his signature wardrobe was a red t-shirt. You get the idea.

The alternative is Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, currently serving time for serious crimes during his tenure. The younger Fujimori wants to retain Peru’s recent liberalization policies but may not be able to escape the taint of her father.

Still, John Quigley, who has been reporting on Peru for Bloomberg, offered an important update yesterday. The latest poll suggests the race is too close to call, news that has increased investor confidence in the Peruvian economy.