Peru’s Divisive Former President Alberto Fujimori Dies at 86

Alberto Fujimori, the former Peruvian president who presided over economic reforms in the 1990s but was later convicted of human rights abuses, has died at the age of 86. Despite his economic successes, Fujimori’s legacy remains controversial due to his authoritarian measures and corruption scandals. His daughter, Keiko Fujimori, announced his death after a long battle with cancer.

Fujimori rose to prominence in 1990 when he won the presidency as a political outsider, defeating renowned writer Mario Vargas Llosa. He implemented drastic economic reforms, known as “Fuji-shock,” which curbed Peru’s hyperinflation. Fujimori’s presidency is also marked by his crackdown on the Maoist Shining Path insurgency, culminating in the capture of its leader, Abimael Guzman.

However, Fujimori’s time in power was tarnished by allegations of autocracy. In 1992, he used military force to shut down Congress, redrafting the constitution to consolidate power. His administration was riddled with corruption, particularly involving his intelligence chief Vladimiro Montesinos, who was later convicted of bribery and other crimes. In 2000, after videos emerged of Montesinos bribing officials, Fujimori fled to Japan and resigned from office via fax.

In 2007, after being detained in Chile, Fujimori was extradited to Peru, where he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for corruption and human rights abuses. He was briefly pardoned in 2017 but returned to prison after the pardon was overturned. His release was finalized in 2023 due to his declining health.

Fujimori’s daughter, Keiko, remains a prominent political figure in Peru, having run for the presidency multiple times. She and other supporters have consistently defended his legacy, focusing on his role in stabilizing the economy and combating terrorism. Outside his home, supporters gathered after news of his death, mourning the loss of a leader they believed was pivotal to Peru’s development.