Keiko Fujimori sworn in as Peru's first elected female president
Fujimori took office Tuesday after winning her fourth presidential campaign by fewer than 50,000 votes, returning her family's political movement to power after nearly three decades.
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Keiko Fujimori was sworn in as president of Peru on Tuesday, becoming the country's first woman elected to the office by popular vote. The ceremony took place in Congress, where she took the oath of office and delivered her first message to the nation at 12:30 p.m.
Fujimori, daughter and political heir of former President Alberto Fujimori, won one of the closest presidential elections in Peru's history, receiving 50.135% of valid ballots in the runoff. She defeated leftist candidate Roberto Sánchez by 49,641 votes. The victory came after three failed presidential campaigns in 2011, 2016, and 2021.
Her inauguration marks the return of the Fujimori political movement to Peru's government nearly 26 years after her father left office in 2000. Alberto Fujimori, who served as president from 1990 to 2000, resigned by fax from Japan amid a major corruption scandal involving his aide Vladimiro Montesinos. He was later convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Fujimori assumes leadership of a country facing a severe public security crisis. Her campaign capitalized on widespread concern about crime and extortion by organized criminal groups. She has made promises to lead a "national reconciliation" and combat growing criminality.
Peru's presidency is among the world's most unstable political offices. Eight presidents have held the position in the past decade, with most leaving office through removal, imprisonment, or criminal investigation.
International delegations attended the inauguration ceremony. Spain's King Felipe VI traveled to Lima and met with Fujimori on Tuesday morning at the Foreign Ministry headquarters for 40 minutes. Both leaders reaffirmed friendship between their nations and committed to strengthening bilateral cooperation, according to Fujimori's office. The meeting also included Peru's newly appointed foreign minister, Carlos Espá, designated by Fujimori on Monday.
Chilean President José Antonio Kast attended the ceremony as well. Following his meeting with Fujimori, Kast announced that both countries seek to strengthen cooperation in commerce, security, migration, and disaster prevention. He shared his government's experiences regarding the El Niño phenomenon with Fujimori.
Chile and Peru face common challenges from transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and contraband operations across border crossings. During pre-transition contacts, both governments expressed their intention to reinforce coordination between police, immigration authorities, and intelligence agencies.
Fujimori's path to the presidency spanned more than 15 years of political effort. She led the Fujimori movement with the stated purpose of securing her father's release from prison. Her political movement remains deeply divisive within Peru.