Keiko Fujimori declared winner of Peru’s presidential election weeks after vote
By BBC, July 4, 2026Peru has elected right-wing politician Keiko Fujimori as its next president following one of the closest presidential races in the country’s history, ending weeks of uncertainty after the June 7 runoff election.
Official results certified by Peru’s electoral court show Fujimori secured 50.135 per cent of the vote, narrowly defeating left-wing challenger Roberto Sánchez, who garnered 49.865 per cent. The slim margin of fewer than 50,000 votes underscores the deep political divisions within the South American nation.
The victory marks Fujimori’s fourth attempt at winning the presidency after unsuccessful bids in 2011, 2016 and 2021. At 51, she is now set to become Peru’s president during a period marked by political instability, with the country preparing to swear in its ninth head of state in just a decade.
Addressing supporters after her victory, Fujimori pledged to govern with humility and responsibility.
“I assume this responsibility with humility and a deep sense of duty,” she said.
“Each day of this transition process is an opportunity to listen, engage in dialogue and arrive prepared at the start of the new government,” she added.
Her remarks appeared aimed at reassuring a deeply divided electorate following the fiercely contested election.
However, the outcome remains under challenge. Sánchez, 57, has alleged that the electoral process was “seriously compromised” and has threatened legal action. His party has appealed the electoral court’s declaration, seeking to have the election annulled over claims of irregularities, particularly citing Fujimori’s strong performance among Peruvians living abroad.
Despite the challenge, the electoral authority has formally declared Fujimori the winner, clearing the way for her inauguration on July 28.
Crime and economy takes centre of campaign
Crime and political instability dominated the election campaign, with Fujimori promising an aggressive security agenda to tackle organised crime, particularly extortion cases that have surged across Peru in recent years.
She has proposed deploying the military to support law enforcement in combating criminal gangs and pledged to expel undocumented immigrants found committing crimes.
On the economic front, Fujimori campaigned on attracting private investment to stimulate growth and restore investor confidence following years of political turmoil.
Her campaign also drew heavily on the legacy of her father, former President Alberto Fujimori, whose presidency remains one of Peru’s most controversial political chapters.
While many supporters credit Alberto Fujimori with defeating insurgent groups and stabilising the economy during the 1990s, critics point to widespread human rights abuses committed under his increasingly authoritarian rule. He was later convicted and imprisoned for crimes against humanity, including extrajudicial killings and forced sterilisation programmes.
Regional Political Shift
Fujimori’s victory comes amid a broader shift toward conservative leadership across Latin America.
Her election follows the recent victory of Colombia’s president-elect, Abelardo de la Espriella, who also campaigned on restoring security and combating organised crime.
Together with leaders such as El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele and Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa, the region is witnessing the emergence of governments prioritising law-and-order policies, stronger security measures and pro-business economic agendas.
Several of these leaders have also cultivated closer ties with US President Donald Trump, whose second administration has taken a more active interest in Latin American affairs.
The trend leaves Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as one of the region’s most prominent left-wing leaders, although he faces a tough re-election battle later this year against the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
As Fujimori prepares to take office, analysts say her administration will face the twin challenge of addressing Peru’s worsening security situation while healing a politically polarised nation after another razor-thin election victory.