Conservative Keiko Fujimori Declared Winner in Peru’s Presidential Runoff Election]

Keiko Fujimori, the conservative politician and daughter of a former president, was officially declared the winner of Peru’s presidential runoff election on Friday.

Fujimori, 51, will assume office later this month as Peru’s ninth president in the past decade. This marks her fourth attempt at securing the position, coming after years of political instability in the country.

Fujimori expressed her gratitude to supporters through a post on X, announcing the conclusion of the election period.

Peru’s National Elections Court (JNE) officially certified Fujimori as the winner, with her receiving 9,223,000 votes, or 50.14% of the total vote. Her opponent, nationalist congressman Roberto Sánchez, earned approximately 9,173,000 votes, or 49.87%, according to Associated Press reporting.

She advanced to the runoff after defeating 33 other candidates in the April election.

In her public statement, Fujimori said, “I receive with profound gratitude the trust that millions of Peruvians have placed in me. A new stage begins. We assume it with responsibility, humility, and a deep sense of duty.” She added that each day of the transition period would provide an opportunity to listen, engage in dialogue, and prepare for the new government, promising to share progress updates through social media.

Her election comes as Peruvian voters expressed growing concerns about rising crime rates, particularly extortion schemes orchestrated by organized criminal gangs. Fujimori has pledged to adopt a tough stance on crime with an “iron fist” approach.

She is the daughter of Alberto Fujimori, the former president whose government in the 1990s defeated the Shining Path rebel group but later adopted authoritarian measures. Alberto Fujimori was convicted in 2009 of human rights abuses during the conflict with rebels and later faced corruption charges, leaving his legacy in Peru deeply divided.

The Trump administration’s State Department congratulated Fujimori on Tuesday, with a spokesperson expressing eagerness to deepen collaboration on security cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties regarding investment and trade in the region.

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