Peru: Relatives of state crime victims challenge Keiko Fujimori's legitimacy as president

Election and inauguration

Keiko Fujimori, 51, won the second round of Peru's presidential election by a narrow margin against left-wing candidate Roberto Sánchez. She is scheduled to take office on 28 July. Her victory marks the return of the Fujimori name to the presidency, three decades after her father Alberto Fujimori ruled the country.

The shadow of Alberto Fujimori

Alberto Fujimori, president from 1990 to 2000, is credited by supporters with crushing the Shining Path and Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) rebels during Peru's internal armed conflict (1980–2000). However, he was later convicted of crimes against humanity and corruption. His legacy remains deeply polarising.

Relatives speak out

On Tuesday, relatives of victims of state crimes and civil organisations publicly rejected Keiko Fujimori's legitimacy. Gisela Ortiz, whose brother was abducted and murdered in 1992 by army death squads, told AFP that Fujimorism represents "an authoritarian government without guarantees regarding human rights."

We reject the government of Keiko Fujimori, we do not recognise her as president and we emphasise that she has no legitimacy.

Ortiz also denounced the president-elect's intention to promote laws on amnesty, statute of limitations for crimes against humanity, and to end trials of police and military personnel in military courts.

A call for justice, not just reconciliation

A statement signed by relatives of victims of the internal armed conflict and the mass mobilisations of 2022–2023 urged protection of victims' memory and judicial independence, and alerted international organisations. Keiko Fujimori had advocated for "reconciliation" among political forces last week, aiming to close a decade of intense political instability.

We do not recognise the government of Keiko Fujimori. We do not accept any reconciliation that is not accompanied by justice.

What comes next

With the inauguration set for 28 July, the incoming government faces immediate pressure from victims' groups and civil society. The dispute over amnesty and military trials is likely to dominate the early legislative agenda.