Controversy over Fujimori's lifelong pension stirs the political climate in Peru.

The situation surrounding the lifetime pension of former president Alberto Fujimori has generated intense controversy in Peru. Despite being sentenced to 25 years in prison for crimes against humanity and corruption, the Board of Directors of Congress, led by Eduardo Salhuana from Alianza para el Progreso, seems determined not to revoke the decision to grant this pension of S/15,600 per month. This fact has raised questions about the legality and ethics of such a decision, adding more tension to the already turbulent political climate in the country. Consulted sources indicate that the current Congress administration considers Fujimori's pension a "hot potato," a complicated legacy inherited from the previous Board of Directors led by Alejandro Soto. Salhuana and his vice presidents' stance focuses on maintaining the technical recommendation from the Human Resources and Legal and Constitutional areas, which support the payment to Fujimori, despite the constitutional accusations against him and the failure to meet the requirements stipulated in Law No. 26519. The context is even more complicated because Fujimori not only faces firm sentences but also has a history of constitutional accusations that, according to the mentioned law, should suspend his right to receive the pension. The ambiguity regarding who is responsible for this decision—whether the current Board of Directors or the previous one—has generated confusion and distrust surrounding the transparency of the process. Congressman Waldemar Cerrón, the second vice president of Congress, has stated that the Board has not yet discussed the issue, while other opposition members demand a clear and detailed response regarding the status of the pension. Alejandro Muñante, spokesperson for Renovación Popular, emphasized that the approval of this payment does not help mitigate the existing political conflict and questioned the timing of such authorization by Parliament. From the Bloque Popular Democrático, Congresswoman Ruth Luque has also called on the Board of Directors to annul Fujimori's pension. Luque has requested all documentation related to the granting of this benefit and has raised serious doubts about the lack of administrative oversight in this context. "It makes no sense to reduce responsibility to a mere administrative issue," she stated, emphasizing that Congress cannot evade its duty to be accountable in this matter. The ties of the current administration with Fuerza Popular and Alianza para el Progreso have not gone unnoticed. Luis Valdez, the general secretary of APP, has rejected any insinuation that there was an agreement with Fujimori's party to approve the pension. However, the closeness of high-ranking Congress officials with APP has raised suspicions regarding the legitimacy of the decision-making process. The investigation into how this situation has arisen reveals that the pension approval process has been handled internally and with little transparency. Key officials, such as Haidy Figueroa Valdez and José Rubio Preciado, have been involved in drafting and supporting the documents that make the payment possible, raising questions about the interests that could be at stake. The speed with which Congress approved Fujimori's request has been a subject of criticism. Within days, from the request to the authorization of the disbursement, questions have arisen about whether a thorough analysis was conducted and whether the social and political repercussions of this decision were considered. The perception that the process was handled hastily and with a lack of transparency is a concern for many citizens. Amid this controversy, Fujimori continues to serve his sentence in prison. His situation poses a moral and legal dilemma regarding justice and political responsibility. The pressure for Congress to reevaluate the lifetime pension is intensifying, as citizens and human rights groups demand that laws be respected and justice be served. The saga of Alberto Fujimori's lifetime pension serves as a reminder of the persistent challenges facing Peruvian politics. The fight for transparency, accountability, and justice in the management of public resources is more important than ever in a context where distrust in institutions has deeply rooted itself in society. The decision that Congress makes in the coming days will be crucial not only for Fujimori's future but also for the credibility of the Peruvian political system itself.