Peru Confirms Fujimori-Sánchez Presidential Runoff

Peru's National Office of Electoral Processes confirmed on May 13 that Keiko Fujimori of the right-wing Fuerza Popular party and Roberto Sánchez of the left-wing Juntos por el Perú will face off in the presidential runoff on June 7, following the first-round vote on April 12. With 99.94 percent of ballots counted, Fujimori led with 17.18 percent, or about 2.88 million votes, while Sánchez secured 12.02 percent, or roughly 2.01 million votes, edging out ultraright candidate Rafael López Aliaga's 11.91 percent by approximately 18,800 votes.

The announcement came one day after Peru's Public Ministry requested a five-year, four-month prison sentence for Sánchez, along with permanent disqualification from party leadership roles. Prosecutors accused him of false statements in administrative proceedings and falsifying information on campaign contributions and expenses for Juntos por el Perú during regional and municipal elections from 2018 to 2020. They alleged the party reported zero income despite receiving contributions totaling between 57,000 and 280,000 Peruvian soles, some deposited into accounts linked to Sánchez and his brother William. A hearing on May 27 will determine if...