PER
Stories (5)
Peru: Meet the Candidates 2026
Runoff fight: Peru’s June 7 presidential runoff will pit conservative Keiko Fujimori against leftist Roberto Sánchez after a narrow first round (Fujimori ~17%, Sánchez ~12%). The campaign centers on restoring stability amid rising crime and political volatility. Key policy angles: - Security and crime: Fujimori vows to deploy troops, military intelligence, and other armed forces to curb street violence and organized crime, including temporarily placing the military in charge
2026-05-24Peru: A 2026 Snapshot
Peru in 2026 faces a volatile political year with an interim president, José María Balcázar, in office until July 28 after the impeachment of José Jerí. The April 12 general election (with a potential June 7 runoff) will determine the next president and return Peru to a bicameral Congress (Senate and lower house). Security concerns dominate public sentiment: crime and violence are top voter worries, with a 36% rise in homicide (2023–2024) and a 29% increase in extortion repor
2026-05-24Peru's Polarizing Fujimori-Sánchez Runoff
Peru is headed to a June 7 runoff between Keiko Fujimori (conservative, Fujimorist party) and Roberto Sánchez (leftist). In the first round, Fujimori led with ~17% and Sánchez had ~12%, narrowly defeating Rafael López Aliaga. The race crystallizes a long-running Peru-versus-provinces divide: market- and state-disconnected regions backing different candidates. Analysts warn that both candidates will start with limited legitimacy in a polarized Congress, raising questions about
2026-05-24Peru's Political Crisis: Balcázar Takes Over
Peru enters a new interim phase after Congress ousted President José Jerí and quickly installed José María Balcázar just two months before the main elections. The move underscores deep political fractures and a shift toward congressional dominance, with the chamber effectively acting as an autocracy that can appoint and remove presidents. Balcázar’s brief tenure (until the July inauguration of the elected president) will hinge on managing a politically fragile environment and
2026-05-24Peru's Strategic Balance in Foreign Policy
Summary: The opinion piece argues that Peru’s foreign policy must pursue strategic balance rather than choosing between the United States and China. As the global order shifts toward US–China strategic competition, smaller states risk constrained options if they align with one power. While Washington signals a push to curb China’s influence in Latin America, Peru should leverage a prudent, sovereignty-respecting approach that preserves ties with both powers. The author cites
2026-05-24