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Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Peru’s capital, Lima, on Saturday to protest against right-wing presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori, just over a week before the country’s presidential runoff election.
The march began at San Martín Square and moved through Lima’s historic centre, passing the national congress building. Protesters carried banners and placards rejecting Fujimori’s candidacy and invoking memories of the administration of her late father, Alberto Fujimori.
Under the slogan “Keiko Out, Fujimori Never Again,” participants expressed concerns about a possible return to the political legacy associated with the former president, who ruled Peru between 1990 and 2000.
Relatives of victims of alleged human rights abuses committed during Alberto Fujimori’s administration were among those leading the demonstration.
One demonstrator, Irma Cayo, told AFP that Fujimori’s candidacy represented fear and injustice, arguing that her victory would pose a danger to the country.
“Keiko represents injustice and fear. Keiko Fujimori shouldn’t become president because, for us, she is a danger. If she wins, it will be like a fraudulent election,” Cayo said.
Similar demonstrations were also reported in the cities of Arequipa and Huancayo.
The protests come ahead of the June 7 runoff election, which is expected to be closely contested.
Fujimori secured 17.1 per cent of the vote in the first round held on April 12, finishing ahead of left-wing candidate Pedro Sanchez, who received 12 per cent.
Sanchez, a former trade minister under former president Pedro Castillo, will face Fujimori in the decisive second-round vote.
The runoff is expected to rekindle political divisions similar to those seen during the 2021 election, when Fujimori narrowly lost to Castillo before his removal from office in 2022.
