Peru Back in Fujimori Hands

Keiko Fujimori has been elected president of Peru, but her inauguration was met with immediate opposition. Left-wing deputies walked out of parliament in protest, holding photos of victims from her father's presidency, decrying what they call a "remilitarization" of the country.

Fujimori, who ran for the highest office three times before winning, secured victory by a narrow margin of 50,000 votes out of 18 million cast. The outcome was significantly influenced by Peruvians living abroad. Her father, Alberto Fujimori, who served as president from 1990 to 2000, is a controversial figure. While he is credited with curbing insurgency and hyperinflation, his methods were often brutal, including assassinations of opponents. He fled Peru facing corruption charges but was later extradited from Chile and imprisoned.

Peru, the second-largest producer of cocaine after Colombia, faces significant challenges with organized crime. Although large mafia organizations have not emerged, competition among relatively small criminal groups is fierce, exacerbated by the involvement of major cartels from Mexico, Brazil, the Balkans, and Italy vying for control of the lucrative cocaine trade.

In response to the escalating crime, President Fujimori announced plans to grant the army extraordinary powers to combat lawlessness. This move evokes disquieting memories of her father's rule for some segments of society. Simultaneously, she intends to launch a broad police modernization program, incorporating artificial intelligence for crime fighting, stating, "We must restore respect for law enforcement."

Fujimori's agenda also includes developing social security programs to address the country's extreme income polarization, a stark reality particularly visible in Lima. The nation faces a complex path forward, balancing security concerns with the legacy of authoritarianism and deep-seated economic inequality.

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We must restore respect for law enforcement.