Keiko Fujimori Becomes President of Peru: What We Know About the New Head of State
Keiko Fujimori has officially won Peru’s presidential election, securing victory in the second round by a narrow margin—less than 50,000 votes out of more than 18 million ballots cast. After several weeks of reviewing disputed votes, Peru’s National Electoral Board is set to officially confirm the election results on July 3.
Keiko Fujimori is the daughter of former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, who led the country during a period of deep economic and political crisis.
During his presidency, he implemented sweeping economic reforms and cracked down harshly on the radical leftist group “Shining Path,” but his rule was marred by numerous allegations of human rights violations, authoritarianism, and corruption.
In 1992, Alberto Fujimori carried out a so-called “self-coup,” dissolving Congress and the Supreme Court and effectively concentrating power in his own hands. He was later sentenced to 25 years in prison for corruption and human rights violations. Despite a brief pardon, he returned to prison and was released in 2023 following a ruling by the Supreme Court of Peru. In September 2024, Alberto Fujimori died.
Keiko Fujimori’s Political Career
Keiko Fujimori entered national politics at the age of 19, when, following her parents’ divorce, she served as Peru’s first lady. She later studied business administration in the United States.
Prior to her current victory, she had unsuccessfully run for president three times—in 2011, 2016, and 2021. At the same time, her political career has been marred by allegations of corruption, as well as periods of detention during investigations into financial matters.
During her fourth presidential campaign, Keiko Fujimori sought to project an image of a more moderate and reserved politician, distancing herself from the hard-line style with which she had previously been associated.
The New President’s Priorities
Keiko Fujimori will take office on July 28, beginning her five-year presidential term.
During the election campaign, she emphasized the need to restore order, fight corruption, overcome political instability, and curb the rise in violent crime.
“We are getting closer and closer to setting us on a path of order and hope for all Peruvians,” Keiko Fujimori stated.
Position on Ukraine
The newly elected president has not made any public statements regarding the Russia-Ukraine war.
At the same time, Peru has already been in the spotlight due to incidents in which hundreds of the country’s citizens were recruited into the Russian army under the pretext of high-paying civilian jobs in Russia. According to the Peruvians themselves who ended up serving in the Russian Federation, they found themselves trapped in a situation from which it is practically impossible to escape without risking their lives.
As a reminder, in May 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted the credentials of the newly appointed Peruvian ambassador, Gloria Lissette Nalvarte Simoni de Isasi, marking another step forward in the development of Ukrainian-Peruvian diplomatic relations.
The Guardian has published an article about the new president.
