The return of Fujimori: An unexpected twist in Peruvian politics?

The political landscape in Peru is shaken by the surprising news that former president Alberto Fujimori, convicted of corruption and crimes, could run for president again in the upcoming 2026 elections. At 85 years old, Fujimori would become the country's oldest presidential candidate, competing with at least 30 other candidates in a race that is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested in recent times. Having served 16 years in prison for murder and corruption, Fujimori was released in December thanks to a controversial pardon on humanitarian grounds due to his delicate health condition. Currently facing problems of hypertension, irregular heart rate, and a risk of cancer that have kept him in a fragile state requiring constant medical treatment. The news of Fujimori's possible candidacy has been announced by his daughter, Keiko Fujimori, leader of the Fuerza Popular party, who stated that both she and her father have decided that he will be the presidential candidate on this occasion. This announcement has sparked various reactions in the Peruvian public opinion, which is divided between those who support Fujimori's return to power and those who reject the idea of a figure with his history aspiring to the presidency again. Keiko Fujimori, who was first lady during her father's government, has been a controversial figure in Peruvian politics, having participated in three presidential elections without success. Despite this, her party Fuerza Popular is one of the most important political forces in Parliament, giving her a certain weight in the country's political scene. The possibility of Alberto Fujimori running for president has generated criticism and concern in sectors of Peruvian society, who view with suspicion the idea of a figure with his history of corruption and human rights violations returning to power. However, there are sympathizers and followers of the former president who support his return to the political arena. Constitutional experts have pointed out that, despite the legal prohibition preventing those convicted of corruption from running, Fujimori is likely to register his candidacy and then be removed from the electoral process. This strategy, according to analysts, aims to leverage the political capital and support that Alberto Fujimori still maintains in certain sectors of the population. Amidst a turbulent political scenario marked by uncertainty, Alberto Fujimori's potential candidacy adds an additional element of complexity to the upcoming electoral race in Peru. The final decision on his participation will depend on the legal steps taken and the reaction of the citizens to the figure of a former president who has left a deep mark on the country's recent history. In a context where corruption and impunity have been central themes in Peruvian political agenda, the figure of Alberto Fujimori poses a challenge to democracy and justice in the country. His possible return to the political scene raises questions about the future of Peru and the direction that Peruvian society will take at a crucial moment in its political history.