Keiko Fujimori faces trial for corruption: a critical moment in her career

The Fujimorista leader Keiko Fujimori Higuchi is preparing to face one of the most critical moments of her political career, as she must appear before the judges of the Third National Collegiate Criminal Court to answer for alleged crimes of criminal organization, money laundering, and obstruction of justice. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. on July 1st at the "Carlos Zavala Loayza" headquarters. Along with Fujimori, 48 other individuals implicated will have to stand trial, in a process that has generated great interest in the Peruvian public opinion. The case against Keiko Fujimori dates back to 2014, when the presence of false contributors and ghost participants in the campaign activities of Fuerza Popular in the 2011 elections was discovered. The investigation intensified with the revelation of an email in which Marcelo Odebrecht offered financing to the presidential candidate. Subsequently, it was revealed that the Brazilian construction company contributed 1.2 million dollars to the Fujimorista campaign. The prosecutor in charge of the case, José Domingo Pérez, alleges that Keiko Fujimori received 17.3 million dollars of illicit origin, which she would have laundered through Fuerza Popular. It is claimed that the Fujimorista leader used fictitious contributions to cover up the entry of illegal funds into the party's finances, and obstructed the investigations through political and judicial maneuvers. Facing the accusations, Keiko Fujimori and her defense have denied the charges, arguing that the contributions were legal and that the omission in their accounting was due to the donors' desire to remain anonymous. However, the prosecution has presented nearly 5,900 pieces of evidence, including testimonies, documents, and emails, to support their case. The trial is expected to last a period that could extend to two years, posing a complex scenario for Fujimori, who could face sentencing while the 2026 presidential elections are underway. In the event of running for office again, the Fujimorista leader will have to balance her participation in the trial with campaign activities, undoubtedly adding pressure and uncertainty to her political future. It is important to note that if found guilty, Keiko Fujimori could face sanctions ranging from stricter conduct rules to even preventive detention. The complexity of the case and the number of individuals involved anticipate a lengthy and thorough judicial process, in which the judges of the Third National Collegiate Criminal Court will have to determine the responsibility of each accused. Amidst these circumstances, Peruvian society closely follows the development of this case, which represents a milestone in the fight against corruption and drug trafficking in the country. Transparency and accountability are presented as fundamental pillars in a judicial process that will mark a before and after in the political history of Peru.