25/06/2026 09:56 - Internacionales
Conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori has achieved what election authorities consider an irreversible lead in Peru's presidential runoff, according to official data released by the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE). With 99.86% of ballots counted, Fujimori has obtained 50.118% of the vote, while her rival, leftist candidate Roberto Sánchez, has gathered 49.882%.
The difference exceeds 43,386 votes, a margin that is practically impossible to reverse when only about 39,300 ballots remain to be counted. If the trend is confirmed, Fujimori will be officially proclaimed president-elect of Peru, although electoral authorities have not yet set a date to formalize the result. The maximum deadline expires on July 15, 2026.
| Candidate | Percentage | Vote Margin |
|---|---|---|
| Keiko Fujimori | 50.118% | +43,386 votes |
| Roberto Sánchez | 49.882% | - |
Source: ONPE - 99.86% counted
For context: Peru has faced unprecedented political turmoil, with leaders rarely finishing their terms.
Despite the official data showing Fujimori's lead, Roberto Sánchez rejected the figures released by the ONPE and denounced irregularities in the electoral process. Without presenting concrete evidence, the candidate claimed there is an "ongoing fraud" and stated he will not recognize a potential Fujimori presidency.
"We will not recognize Mrs. Fujimori's government", Sánchez declared. He served as a minister during the administration of former president Pedro Castillo — currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for conspiracy to rebel — who was ousted in 2022.
According to Sánchez, the alleged irregularities would be mainly linked to voting by Peruvians living abroad, especially in countries like the United States and Japan, where the conservative candidate obtained over 63% of the vote. The leftist leader has called for "historic mobilizations" to defend the vote from what he calls "deep Peru" (Perú profundo), where he won in 16 of the country's regions.
Keiko Sofía Fujimori Higuchi (age 51) is one of the most recognized figures in Peruvian politics. She reached this election after several unsuccessful attempts to win the presidency (2011, 2016, 2021). She is the daughter of the late former president Alberto Fujimori, who ruled Peru from 1990 to 2000 and died in 2024 after serving a 15-year prison sentence for crimes related to human rights violations and corruption.
She will become the first elected female president in Peru's history — Dina Boluarte became president through constitutional succession after Castillo's impeachment — with her proclamation scheduled for July 28, 2026, Peru's Independence Day.
Her campaign slogan was "Fujimori Returns, Order Returns", focusing on the security crisis the country faces, which is the top concern for Peruvians, with rising homicide rates and extortion cases. She promised to organize military patrols in the streets, immediate deportation of immigrants who commit crimes, and requiring prisoners to work for their food.
What is "Fuerza Popular"? It's a right-wing political party founded by Keiko Fujimori in 2009. The party follows a conservative ideology with strong emphasis on law and order policies, similar to right-wing movements gaining ground across Latin America.
Why is this election significant? Peru has experienced extreme political instability, having eight different presidents between 2018 and 2025. This instability stems from corruption scandals, presidential impeachments, and a highly fragmented congress where no single party holds a majority.
What does "Perú profundo" mean? Literally "deep Peru," it refers to the rural, indigenous, and working-class areas of the country, often contrasted with the more urbanized, coastal elite. Sánchez performed better in these areas, while Fujimori dominated in urban centers and among the diaspora.
The regional political landscape shows a shift toward the right. Fujimori will be surrounded by ideological allies in a Latin America increasingly governed by right-wing leaders. Flávio Bolsonaro — far-right presidential aspirant in Brazil — congratulated Fujimori on her victory, speaking of "strengthening cooperation between South American nations" in the fight against "transnational narco-terrorism."
During the campaign, Fujimori also received support from Abelardo de la Espriella, Colombia's president-elect who won the elections on June 21, 2026 with 49.66% of the vote.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
