Alberto Fujimori, former Peruvian president and controversial figure, dies

The former president of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, died this Wednesday, September 11, at the age of 86, after a long battle with cancer. His daughter, Keiko Fujimori, announced his death through the social network X, asking for prayers for the repose of his soul. Fujimori, who governed Peru between 1990 and 2000, is a figure who polarized the country due to his controversial management, marked by his fight against terrorism and economic collapse, but also by serious human rights violations.

Japanese origins and early years

Alberto Fujimori was born on July 28, 1938 in Lima, Peru, the son of Japanese immigrants who came to the country from the village of Kawachi in search of new opportunities. Although he grew up in the Peruvian capital, his Japanese origins always accompanied him, even being nicknamed "El Chino" for his oriental features, despite the fact that his ancestors come from Japan. This cultural heritage marked not only his personal life, but also his relationship with Japan during his presidency and his subsequent exile in the Asian country. During his term, diplomatic relations between Peru and Japan became closer, and after his escape in 2000, the Japanese government recognized his Japanese nationality, allowing him to avoid extradition for several years. Fujimori knew how to capitalize on this legacy, using his image as a symbol of discipline and order in a time of chaos in Peru.

A polarizing legacy

During his presidency, Fujimori led a self-coup in 1992, dissolving Congress and controlling the judiciary with the support of the military. For his supporters, his government was key in capturing the leader of the Shining Path, Abimael Guzmán, and in controlling the hyperinflation that devastated the country. However, for his detractors, he was an authoritarian leader who committed abuses of power, including the creation of a death squad responsible for two massacres.

The decline and prison

Following a corruption scandal in 2000, Fujimori fled to Japan and resigned from the presidency from abroad. In 2007, he was extradited to Peru and sentenced to 25 years in prison for human rights violations and corruption. Although he received a pardon in 2017, the Supreme Court overturned this decision in 2018, and the former president returned to prison. In 2023, he was released again following a decision by the Constitutional Court.

Death and legacy

Fujimori's death marks the end of an era in Peruvian politics, but his family name and legacy continue to live on. His children, Keiko and Kenji Fujimori, maintain Fujimorism as a relevant political force in the country. Despite the controversies surrounding his life, the figure of Alberto Fujimori continues to generate debate in Peru, dividing the country between those who see him as a savior and those who consider him a dictator.