by the El Reportero staff
Peruvian political leader Keiko Fujimori has emerged as a leading contender in Peru’s presidential election while comments she made about Colombian President Gustavo Petro in 2023 have returned to the spotlight amid growing regional attention.
The current vote follows Peru’s first-round presidential election on April 12, when none of the candidates obtained the more than 50 percent needed to win outright. Fujimori and rival Roberto Sánchez finished as the top two candidates and advanced to a runoff election held on June 7.
According to preliminary results cited by Ecuadorian media outlet Radio Centro Ecuador, Fujimori’s Fuerza Popular movement obtained 50.481 percent of the vote compared with 49.519 percent for Sánchez. However, the race remains too close to call officially, and election authorities continue reviewing ballots.
As of June 8, approximately 94 to 95 percent of votes had been counted, with officials cautioning that the final outcome could still change as remaining ballots are processed.
The renewed attention surrounding Fujimori has also revived statements she made in February 2023 regarding Petro’s involvement in Peruvian affairs. At the time, Fujimori criticized the Colombian president for commenting on Peru’s political situation and declared, “Do not stick your red nose into Peru… my total repudiation of guerrilla Petro.”
The comments reflected tensions that emerged after Petro publicly expressed concern about political developments in Peru following the removal of former President Pedro Castillo. Fujimori and other conservative leaders argued that foreign governments should respect Peru’s sovereignty and avoid interfering in domestic matters.
Political analysts cited by Radio Centro Ecuador said the remarks could gain new significance if Fujimori ultimately wins the presidency. Some observers believe relations between Peru and Colombia could face challenges because of ideological differences between conservative and left-leaning governments.
Supporters view Fujimori’s performance as evidence that conservative policies continue to attract significant support among Peruvian voters. Critics argue that her return to the forefront of national politics could further deepen polarization in a country that has experienced years of political instability.
The final result remains pending as Peru’s electoral authorities continue counting and certifying the vote.
– With reports from Radio Centro Ecuador and regional media.
