Alberto Fujimori, the convicted former president of Peru, is aiming to run for president

Alberto Fujimori, the ex-president of Peru who was found guilty, declared his intention to seek for office in the 2026 elections.

The 85-year-old former president of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, has declared his intention to compete for the office in the country’s 2026 elections, despite a past clouded by allegations of corruption and human rights abuses. Keiko Fujimori, his daughter and three-time failed presidential candidate, made the announcement on Sunday, highlighting her father’s release from prison in December following an appeals court’s reaffirmation of his pardon.

Fujimori’s campaign, meantime, is beset by political and legal ambiguities. Because of his prior convictions, legal experts and commentators are doubting his chances of winning the election. Constitutional lawyer Anibal Quiroga stated, “A presidential pardon has cleared him from prison, but his legal status is that of someone who hasn’t finished his sentence.” He clarified that those convicted of crimes and sentenced to prison have no further political rights under Article 33 of the Peruvian constitution.

Fujimori faces legal challenges as well as a $15 million civil damages debt from three other lawsuits. Experts predict that the nation’s electoral authorities will ultimately determine whether or not to accept his candidacy. “Fujimori’s political ambition without measuring the consequences could put the country in uncertainty again,” issued a warning from Quiroga.

With at least thirty political parties registered for the 2026 election, Peru’s political scene is extremely fragmented. According to political analyst Gonzalo Banda from Peru, Fujimori is trying to reestablish his party as the leading right-wing force in the nation.

Keiko and the Fujimori political movement distanced themselves from the imprisoned former president during the most recent elections, taking on a more moderate persona and expressing regret for the mistakes made while in office. But after suffering several election setbacks, Banda observes a “reversal” in the direction of conventional hard-right views.

The announcement made by the older Fujimori represents a return to the party’s right-wing origins, especially at a time when voters are increasingly concerned about crime and violence.

In order to win in the first round of the upcoming election in Peru, a candidate must receive a majority of 50% of the vote. Should no contender accomplish this, a run-off will be held between the top two finishers. Amidst a political climate already tumultuous, Fujimori’s candidacy adds another level of complication, demonstrating the lasting impact of his contentious legacy.