The United States State Department has congratulated Keiko Fujimori on her presidential election victory in Peru, following a narrow win in a closely watched runoff election. The congratulatory statement signifies Washington's intent to foster a close working relationship with Fujimori's incoming administration.
"The United States congratulates President-Elect Keiko Fujimori of Peru on her important electoral victory," the department stated. "The Trump Administration looks forward to deepening collaboration with the Fujimori Administration to advance security cooperation and to strengthen bilateral cooperation on investment and trade in our region."
Fujimori, representing the Fuerza Popular party, secured victory by a slim margin, earning 50.1% of the vote. The final count showed her winning by fewer than 50,000 votes out of approximately 18 million ballots cast. Her win over leftist challenger Roberto Sánchez marks her fourth presidential bid and makes her Peru's first female president-elect. The result concludes a highly polarized election cycle in a country that has seen significant political instability, with nine presidents over the past decade.
Fujimori's election comes at a time when the U.S. is aiming to bolster ties with pro-market nations in Latin America, particularly in light of increasing Chinese economic engagement in the region. China recently completed the $1.3 billion Chancay deepwater port project in Peru, which serves as a significant logistics hub for Chinese trade on the Pacific coast.
Fujimori's platform, which emphasizes a strong stance against organized crime, also aligns with U.S. objectives to expand regional security and anti-trafficking efforts. She campaigned on an "iron fist" approach to security issues and pledged to uphold Peru’s free-market economy, contrasting with her opponent's focus on rural economic concerns.
Keiko Fujimori is the daughter of former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, who governed Peru during the 1990s. His presidency was marked by efforts against communist guerrillas and economic reforms, but also faced international condemnation for the dismantling of democratic institutions and alleged human rights abuses. Keiko Fujimori has since worked for over two decades to rebrand "Fujimorismo" as a modern conservative movement focused on law and order.
Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) declared Fujimori the winner, although the National Jury of Elections (JNE), the final electoral authority, has yet to issue its official proclamation. The election unfolded amid widespread concerns over violent crime, extortion, and prolonged political instability within the country.