Keiko Fujimori Wins Peru’s Presidential Election
Conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori has narrowly triumphed in Peru’s presidential election following extended weeks of vote counting disputes. This marks a significant victory for the right-wing in Latin America, an area where the U.S. is focusing its diplomatic attention.
Peru’s main electoral body, the National Office for Electoral Processes (ONPE), reported that Fujimori—daughter of ex-President Alberto Fujimori—achieved 50.135 percent of the vote in the run-off election held on June 7. The left-wing candidate, Roberto Sánchez, fell short by a minimal margin, receiving 49.865 percent according to the official count. Sánchez indicated that his Together for Peru party could dispute the results, with Peru’s National Jury of Elections expected to announce them formally on Friday.
Shift to the Right in Latin America
Numerous Latin American governments have turned towards conservative leadership in recent years. Right-wing politicians have gained power due to dissatisfaction with stagnant economies and corruption issues affecting left-wing leaders, alongside promises to tackle crime.
Fujimori expressed optimism, stating, “We are getting closer and closer to starting a path of order and hope for all Peruvians,” in a statement released late on Monday.
This decision in Peru follows Colombia’s right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella’s victory, which came after securing an endorsement from President Donald Trump. In December, Nasry Asfura, backed by Trump, was declared as Honduras’s new leader amidst allegations of election corruption. Additionally, Chile has chosen its most conservative leader in decades.
However, countries like Mexico and Brazil continue to be led by leftist governments.
U.S. Influence in Latin America
The Trump administration aims to increase U.S. dominance in Latin America through its “Donroe Doctrine,” a modern approach to the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine. The strategy aims to reinforce the U.S.’s power in the Western Hemisphere.
An initiative called “Shield of the Americas” has been introduced, involving over a dozen leaders characterized by center-right or hard-right ideologies, echoing Trump’s politics.
Electoral Controversy
Fujimori’s Popular Force party won with less than a 50,000-vote margin according to the ONPE, out of more than 18 million ballots. Sánchez had previously claimed “fraud is underway” to benefit Fujimori, though he failed to provide evidence.
On Monday, Sánchez reiterated that his party was convinced of “serious harm to the electoral process,” asserting their intention to appeal the results.
Alberto Fujimori’s Legacy
Keiko Fujimori’s father, Alberto Fujimori, governed Peru from 1990. His leadership was praised by some for navigating the country through economic turbulence and combating terrorism. However, his legacy is tainted by later convictions for corruption and human rights violations.
He was released from prison in December 2023 on humanitarian grounds despite serving a 25-year sentence handed down in 2009, passing away in September 2024.
For further information, you can contact Newsweek editors, Frances Mao and Tony Phillips.