Alberto Fujimori, the former President of Peru (1990 - 2000), passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86 after a prolonged battle with cancer. The news was confirmed by his daughter, Keiko Fujimori, in a post on the social media platform X: “After a long battle with cancer, our father, Alberto Fujimori, has gone to meet the Lord.” She added, “We ask those who cared for him to join us in prayer for the eternal rest of his soul. Thank you for everything, Dad!”
According to the news outlet El País, the former president, who ruled Peru with an iron fist in the 1990s, was staying at his daughter's home in the Lima district of San Borja. Fujimori, who had been sentenced to 25 years in prison for indirect responsibility in the Barrios Altos and La Cantuta massacres, was released in December 2023 following a Constitutional Court ruling that upheld a humanitarian pardon granted in 2017.
This decision contradicted an order from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR), placing the government in defiance of the inter-American system. The former president was pardoned by then-President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski shortly after he avoided impeachment by Congress, thanks to the support of dissident legislators from the Fuerza Popular party, led by former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori. Kuczynski, besieged by corruption accusations and allegations of vote-buying in Congress, resigned in March 2018, and Vice President Martín Vizcarra took over.
Throughout this year, Fujimori shared a series of videos on social media in an attempt to improve his image concerning various incidents. Additionally, he joined the political organization led by his daughter. In July, Keiko announced that her father would be the main representative of Fujimorism for the 2026 general elections, as reported by El País.
Six years ago, after being pardoned for human rights abuses, the former Peruvian president revealed that doctors had detected a tumor in one of his lungs and ruled out a return to political activity. At that time, the former president, in statements to a local television channel, also commented that the struggle of his children and political heirs for control of the largest opposition party “is temporary.”
“They have detected a small tumor in one of my lungs... fortunately, the tumor markers are normal. I need to be under observation every four months,” said Fujimori, then 79, in front of the facilities of the state-run National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases located in a Lima district.
FAQs about Alberto Fujimori's Passing and Legacy
Given the significance of Alberto Fujimori's legacy and the impact of his passing, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to provide more context and clarity.
What were the Barrios Altos and La Cantuta massacres?
The Barrios Altos and La Cantuta massacres were incidents where death squads, allegedly linked to Fujimori's government, killed civilians during the internal conflict in Peru. Fujimori was held indirectly responsible for these human rights violations.
Why was Alberto Fujimori released from prison?
Fujimori was released from prison following a Constitutional Court ruling that upheld a humanitarian pardon granted in 2017. This pardon was controversial and went against an order from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
What role did Keiko Fujimori play in her father's political career?
Keiko Fujimori has been a significant political figure in Peru, leading the Fuerza Popular party. She announced that her father would represent Fujimorism in the 2026 general elections.