Passed away at 86, the former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori
Following a lengthy struggle against cancer, our father, Alberto Fujimori, has passed away, ascending to meet the divine. We kindly urge those who held him dear to offer up a prayer for his eternal repose, as expressed by Keiko Fujimori on platform X.
Fujimori, who held the reins of Peru from 1990 to 2000, had been battling illness, as confirmed by his primary physician, Alejandro Aguinaga, in statements to the press outside Keiko Fujimori's residence on a Wednesday.
Fujimori had previously disclosed a fresh malignant tumor diagnosis, dating back to May.
A figure of controversy in his nation, Fujimori governed Peru between 1990 and 2000. His reign brought the country back from the brink of economic despair, yet it was tainted by accusations of human rights violations and corruption, for which he was penalized decades later.
Transition from outsider to autocrat
The offspring of Japanese immigrants, Fujimori pursued agricultural studies in Lima before embarking on his graduate education overseas in the United States and France.
Upon returning to Peru, he hosted a television program focused on environmental issues, later contesting the presidency in 1989 as the leader of a new party – Cambio 90 (“Change 90”) – ultimately vanquishing renowned literary laureate, Mario Vargas Llosa.
Inheriting a state on the brink of economic collapse, Fujimori swiftly enacted austere economic policies referred to as “Fujishock,” effectively curbing hyperinflation.
He also perceived triumph against the Sendero Luminoso rebels, a storied guerrilla group in Latin America, following his government's apprehension of the organization's commander, Abimael Guzmán – responsible for countless fatalities. Subsequent handling of a protracted hostage crisis at the Japanese ambassador's residence garnered him international acclaim.
For certain Peruvians, Fujimori's domestic successes converted him from a political upstart into the strong-handed leader Peru required. A distinguished streak of authoritarianism, however, manifested as he employed security forces to stifle dissent. Soon, accusations of abuse of power and corruption emerged, casting a cloud over his national triumphs.
In the 90's, Fujimori's spouse, Susana Higuchi, denounced him publicly as corrupt and alleged the family had illicitly sold clothing donated to Japan. After their separation, Fujimori installed their oldest daughter, Keiko, as Peru's first lady in advance of his second term.
In 2000, Fujimori sought a historically unprecedented third term in office amidst doubts concerning its constitutional validity. He triumphed, prompting his primary opponent to contest electoral malpractice.
However, his government imploded spectacularly later that year, following the dissemination of incriminating tapes of Vladimiro Montesinos, his powerful intelligence chief for over a decade, bribing an opposition congressman. The scandal quickly expanded as more damning tapes surfaced.
Fujimori repudiated any wrongdoing, yet his relationship with the citizenry started to deteriorate. Many Peruvians remained unconvinced, suspecting his awareness of Montesinos' misuse of power and embezzlement.
That November, during a journey to Japan, Fujimori attempted to resign from the Peruvian presidency by sending a fax home, sparking political turmoil in Peru. Days later, Peruvian congress ousted him, designating him “morally unfit” to govern.
He remained in Japan for a number of years, adamant that his comeback to Peru's political elite was imminent. In the mid-2000's, he traveled to Chile while preparing for a political rebound, but was apprehended and subsequently extradited back to Peru to stand trial for human rights violations, among other alleged offenses.
Legal wrangles
Fujimori has spent time in prison intermittently over the past few years due to his worsening health, following convictions in four distinct criminal trials.
In 2009, a special supreme court tribunal condemned him to 25 years in prison for sanctioning the actions of a death squad responsible for slaying civilians.
In separate trials, the former president was also convicted of breaking into Montesinos' home to steal incriminating videos, unlawfully withdrawing funds from the national treasury to pay Montesinos, and authorizing illegal wiretaps and bribing legislators and journalists.
He secured a medical pardon for his human rights abuses in December 2017 from then-Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Kuczynski's office released a statement at the time, asserting Fujimori "suffers from a progressive, degenerative and incurable condition," stating "prison conditions mean a serious risk to his life, health, and integrity."
“I am fully aware that the consequences of my administration, on a positive note, were well-received. However, I recognize that, on a negative note, I have also frustrated other compatriots. To them, I extend my sincere apologies from the depths of my heart,” Fujimori stated in a video recorded from his hospital bed and posted on Twitter in 2017.
However, the pardon sparked violent demonstrations in the Lima capital and garnered substantial criticism from human rights organizations and legislators.
The pardon was ultimately reversed in January 2019, and in 2018, a Peruvian court ruled he could face trial for alleged involvement in the 1992 kidnappings, torture, and killings of six people in the central Peruvian town of Pativilca, according to state-run news agency Andina.
Despite numerous criminal judgments against him, Fujimori remained steadfast, defending his actions as being in the best interest of the nation. He held onto this perspective until the very final moment.
After achieving significant economic rejuvenation and triumphing against the Sendero Luminoso rebels, Fujimori's leadership extended beyond Peru's borders, earning him recognition in the Americas and beyond.
As a result of his political successes and controversies, Fujimori became a prominent figure in the global conversation about the world's political landscape during the 1990s.
