The return of the Fujimori dynasty: Keiko proclaimed Peru's president after nail-biting election

After weeks of tension, accusations of fraud, and meticulous ballot reviews, Peru's electoral office has officially confirmed Keiko Fujimori's victory in the presidential election. The conservative candidate secured a razor-thin win in the runoff, taking 50.135% of the vote against leftist congressman Roberto Sanchez's 49.865%.

This narrow margin, with just around 50,000 votes separating the two finalists out of 18 million cast, marks Fujimori's fourth attempt at the presidency. Her win reverses the outcome of the 2021 election, where she narrowly lost to Pedro Castillo. The close result has left the country deeply divided, mirroring the circumstances of her previous defeat.

Roberto Sanchez, following the path of former President Pedro Castillo who was impeached and jailed, refuses to recognize Fujimori's government. He alleges widespread fraud, despite a lack of concrete evidence, drawing support from rural areas. Sanchez has initiated actions with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, highlighting a stark geographical and political fracture within Peru. Rural Peru overwhelmingly supported Sanchez, while Lima and expatriate votes tipped the balance for Fujimori.

The announcement of the results brought immediate relief to financial markets and a wave of congratulations from conservative leaders across Latin America, including Javier Milei of Argentina and Nayib Bukele of El Salvador. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also welcomed the election, signaling a desire for intensified bilateral cooperation. Moody's analysts anticipate political continuity and a restoration of investor confidence, potentially unlocking major mining projects in copper-rich Peru.

At 51, Fujimori becomes Peru's tenth head of state since 2016. She inherits the controversial legacy of her father, Alberto Fujimori, a former president known for combating insurgency and hyperinflation but also for human rights abuses. Keiko Fujimori herself faced accusations of illegal campaign financing and spent time in preventive detention before the charges were dropped.