Lima, Peru – Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, won the Peruvian presidency, marking the latest victory for the conservative right in Latin America.
This controversial result brought back memories of her father’s dictatorial rule, Alberto Fujimori, who governed with an iron fist during the 1990s before being imprisoned for extrajudicial killings and gross human rights abuses. It sparked a mixture of fear and elation among citizens. At the same time, it evoked memories of his tumultuous decade-long rule.
In connection with this complex political legacy, Peruvian public opinion is divided between supporters who see the new president as the long-awaited savior, and opponents who fear a return to the old Fujimori authoritarianism. A detailed report in the American newspaper, The Wall Street Journal, highlighted this division.
Crushing the Maoist rebellion and the legacy of the iron fist
During his rule, her father successfully crushed the violent Maoist insurgency led by the Shining Path movement and curbed hyperinflation. However, his regime ultimately collapsed amidst massive corruption scandals.
His 51-year-old daughter shares his strict approach of imposing total security and supporting free-market economic policies.
In line with the Trump administration’s assertive regional approach in Washington, the new president pledged a “fierce” security campaign to eradicate organized crime, amid a recent surge in extortion, cocaine trafficking, and illegal gold mining in the country.
Fujimori promised to build maximum-security prisons and deport undocumented immigrants. She also pledged to protect judges by requiring them to wear masks during sensitive trials to ensure their safety.
A long count and a narrow margin decide the battle
In a dramatic and suspenseful runoff election, Keiko Fujimori secured 50.002% of the vote, narrowly defeating her leftist opponent, Roberto Sánchez, by a mere few hundred votes. Polling experts confirmed this lead and predicted no change once the remaining ballots abroad were counted.
This pivotal victory has strengthened the far right’s presence in South America, joining a broader coalition that currently dominates the region.
A new strategic ally for Washington on the continent
The center-left was left with only the governments of Colombia, Brazil, and Uruguay, which themselves faced upcoming elections in which the right wing was poised for a strong comeback.
These rapid changes opened the door for Washington to clearly declare the acquisition of a new strategic ally and the inclusion of another pivotal country in its regional alliance. Beyond these regional gains, Fujimori faces a country suffering from significant political fragmentation. This situation is entirely different from the era her father inherited.
Peru has been engulfed in turmoil over the past decade, making Keiko the country’s tenth president in just 10 years.
Analysts attribute this instability to the aggressive tactics employed by the new president herself. She led a fierce parliamentary opposition in recent years.
The president’s declining popularity and challenges in accepting the result
Therefore, the new president faces an extremely difficult period given her low popularity compared to her father’s historical stature. The director of the Ipsos Peru polling institute warned of the dangers of governing with a slim majority in the face of a parliamentary opposition that refuses to acknowledge defeat and alleges electoral fraud.
The director of the Ipsos polling institute said, “Governing by a slim majority amidst deep societal divisions will complicate the new president’s task of passing essential legislation.”
The losing candidate, Roberto Sánchez, refused to concede defeat, vowing to defend what he called the “well-deserved popular victory” achieved through peaceful street protests. In terms of fundamental differences, the daughter distances herself from her father, who rose to prominence as an independent figure drawing support from the working class. In contrast, she relies on complex political and elite alliances to maintain the fragile balance of her rule.
