Cameron Diaz Apologizes to Peru

Cameron Diaz sported a bag with the Maoist slogan “Serve the People” while sightseeing in Peru on Friday, not realizing the painful memories it would invoke. The famous political slogan was by Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong and “has particular relevance in Peru where the Maoist Shining Path insurgency almost brought Peru to edge of chaos in the 1980s and early 1990s.”

The Shrek star was touring the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu at the time with Sol Guy, an MTV Canada Host.

In a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press on sunday, Cameron said she’s sorry for the slogan’s “potentially hurtful nature” and wishes Peruvians “for their continued healing.”

Here’s what the email said: “I sincerely apologize to anyone I may have inadvertently offended. The bag was a purchase I made as a tourist in China and I did not realize the potentially hurtful nature of the slogan printed on it. I’m sorry for any people’s pain and suffering and it was certainly never my intention to reopen what I now know is a painful wound in this country’s history.”