Keiko Fujimori Sworn In as Peru President With Plan to Combat Crime

The inauguration of Keiko Fujimori marks a definitive return of fujimorismo to power, a populist movement that continues to divide the Peruvian electorate. Her ascent follows a grueling political saga; after losses in 2011, 2016, and 2021, Fujimori secured the presidency on her fourth attempt, edging out rival Roberto Sanchez by a margin of 50.1% to 49.8%.

While she dominated the vote in Lima and among Peruvians living abroad, she faced overwhelming opposition in the southern Andes. The victory was razor-thin, decided by fewer than 50,000 votes.

Crime Crackdowns and the “Iron Fist” Strategy

Fujimori inherits a country facing its most severe security crisis in decades. To address this, she has pledged an iron fist approach, drawing inspiration from the policies of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele.

• Mass Expulsions: Plans to deport migrants in irregular situations.
• Judicial Reform: Implementing anonymous judges to protect them during criminal trials.
• Prison Labor: Requiring prisoners to work in exchange for food.
• Infrastructure: Building a megaprison modeled after El Salvador’s Cecot penitentiary.
• Military Deployment: The military will temporarily lead security operations in crime-afflicted areas.

Beyond security, Fujimori is focusing on the immediate threat of El Niño, which is expected to be the most devastating since 1998. She also announced a 15% increase in the minimum wage and a reorganization of social services to tackle rural malnutrition.

Fujimori stated that her goal is not only to administer the state, but that her main objective is to narrow the enormous social deficit that affects millions of Peruvians, according to Keiko Fujimori, President of Peru.

A New Bicameral Legislature and Structural Safeguards

To stop the cycle of legislative coups, Peru is operating under a reformed constitution. For the first time since 1992, the country has reinstated a 60-seat Senate, moving away from a unicameral assembly.

This structural change creates a higher barrier for removal from office. Any future attempt to impeach the president now requires a rigorous two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Fujimori’s Fuerza Popular and its ally, Popular Renovation, are expected to hold half of the senate seats, which should make it significantly harder for opposition lawmakers to remove her.

Protests and the Legacy of Alberto Fujimori

The inauguration was not without conflict. Protesters gathered in Lima to condemn the event, demanding justice for those killed during anti-government unrest. Within the Parliament, a group of left-wing lawmakers walked out of the chamber in protest.

Much of this animosity stems from the legacy of Keiko’s father, former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000). While credited with economic stabilization and defeating terror groups, he was imprisoned for corruption and human rights abuses. He was pardoned in December 2023 and died in September 2024.

Opposition leaders are now calling for a commission to investigate the deaths of 50 civilians during protests in late 2022 and early 2023. They also want the reversal of laws that they argue weaken the fight against organized crime by eliminating preventive arrests and protecting political parties involved in corruption.

Regional Realignment and Economic Stability

Fujimori’s victory is part of a broader conservative wave sweeping Latin America, aligning Peru with right-leaning leaders such as Argentina’s Javier Milei and Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa. This shift has already provided a boost to the economy; international markets reacted positively to her free-market promises, unlocking delayed mining investments in the world’s third-largest copper producer.

However, the legitimacy of the new administration remains fragile. As sociologist David Sulmont noted, if the government fails to produce tangible signs of success in fighting insecurity, its popularity could erode quickly.