Thousands in Peru protest Fujimori presidential run

Thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of Lima on Tuesday, protesting the presidential bid of Keiko Fujimori, the daughter of Peru’s former leader Alberto Fujimori, whose authoritarian rule from 1990 to 2000 remains one of the country’s most contentious chapters. Fujimori, who has run for president four times, is widely seen as a polarising figure in Peruvian politics, a legacy that has been shaped by both her family’s controversial past and her own political career. Her father, Alberto Fujimori, was convicted in 2009 of human rights abuses, corruption, and abuse of power, serving 16 years in prison before being pardoned in 2017—a decision that sparked widespread outrage and legal challenges. Critics argue that Keiko Fujimori’s candidacy represents a continuation of the same political dynasty that many Peruvians blame for deepening inequality, corruption, and human rights violations.

The protests come amid growing public frustration with Peru’s political establishment, which has been rocked by successive corruption scandals and institutional crises in recent years. Since 2016, the country has seen four presidents either impeached, imprisoned, or forced to resign amid allegations of graft, including the disgraced former president Pedro Castillo, who was removed from office and arrested last December after attempting to dissolve Congress. Fujimori’s bid for the presidency—her fourth attempt—has intensified political tensions, with opponents accusing her of seeking to undermine democratic institutions to protect her family’s legacy. Her supporters, however, argue that she represents stability and economic growth, pointing to her role as a former first lady and her long-standing influence in conservative and business circles.

The demonstrations reflect broader concerns about the resurgence of Fujimorismo, a political movement named after her father that has remained influential despite its tarnished reputation. Analysts warn that a Fujimori victory in next year’s elections could reignite debates over accountability for past crimes and potentially weaken efforts to combat corruption. Meanwhile, human rights organisations have raised alarms over proposals that could limit judicial independence, a move critics fear could protect Fujimori’s allies from prosecution. The protests also highlight Peru’s deep political divisions, with Fujimori’s opponents accusing her of exploiting nostalgia for the economic stability of the 1990s while downplaying her father’s authoritarian excesses.

As Peru prepares for a contentious electoral cycle, the protests underscore the challenges facing a nation still grappling with the legacies of dictatorship, corruption, and social unrest. The outcome of Fujimori’s campaign could shape the country’s democratic trajectory for years to come, either reinforcing a cycle of impunity or signalling a turning point toward greater accountability and reform.