Alberto Fujimori, the controversial former president of Peru, has passed away at the age of 86. His daughter, Keiko Fujimori, announced his death on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter). Fujimori’s presidency, which lasted from 1990 to 2000, was marked by both significant achievements and a dramatic downfall that ended with his imprisonment for human rights abuses and corruption.
Initially hailed for stabilizing Peru’s economy and defeating the brutal Shining Path insurgency, Fujimori’s administration devolved into authoritarianism. His bold economic reforms, including mass privatizations, helped curb runaway inflation and improve the country’s financial stability. Fujimori also took credit for the 1992 capture of Shining Path leader Abimael Guzmán, which garnered him widespread support.
However, Fujimori’s presidency took a darker turn as he resorted to increasingly autocratic measures. In 1992, he controversially shut down Congress and the courts, accusing them of hindering his efforts to defeat insurgents and carry out economic reforms. Despite international pressure, he called for elections to replace Congress, and his supporters dominated the new legislative body, which amended the constitution to allow him to serve consecutive five-year terms.
His downfall came in 2000 when a series of leaked videotapes exposed his spy chief, Vladimiro Montesinos, bribing lawmakers. Facing widespread corruption allegations, Fujimori fled to Japan and famously resigned via fax. Five years later, he was arrested in Chile and extradited to Peru, where he became the first former president in the world to be tried and convicted in his own country for human rights violations. Fujimori was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in the killings of 25 people by a government death squad, although he was not found to have personally ordered the murders.
Despite his imprisonment, Fujimori continued to seek political vindication. His daughter Keiko attempted to restore the family’s political legacy by running for Peru’s presidency in 2011, 2016, and 2021, but she was unsuccessful in each bid. Fujimori was granted a humanitarian pardon in 2017 due to his declining health, though his legacy remains deeply divisive in Peru.
Fujimori’s presidency is often cited as an example of “caudillismo,” a form of authoritarian leadership characterized by strongman tactics, which undermined Peru’s fragile democracy. His legacy is complicated by the juxtaposition of his early successes with his later abuses of power, leaving a lasting impact on the country’s political landscape.
He is survived by his four children, including Keiko Fujimori, who served as First Lady during his presidency following his divorce from Susana Higuchi, whom he was accused of having tortured. Fujimori’s youngest son, Kenji, also served as a congressman. Despite his controversial life, Fujimori’s influence on Peru remains significant as the nation continues to grapple with the consequences of his rule.
