Keiko Fujimori becomes Peru's ninth president in a decade

Lima (AFP) – Peru's conservative President Keiko Fujimori took office on Tuesday, vowing to tackle the wave of crime sweeping the Andean nation.

Issued on: 28/07/2026 - 21:04

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Fujimori won June's presidential runoff by fewer than 50,000 votes, having tried and failed to win power three times previously."I swear ... that I will faithfully carry out the duties of president of the republic," Peru's ninth president in a decade stated before Congress.A group of leftist lawmakers left the room in protest at her inauguration.The ceremony was attended by Latin American leaders including Argentina's Javier Milei, Chile's Jose Antonio Kast, Bolivia's Rodrigo Paz, Ecuador's Daniel Noboa and Uruguay's Yamandu Orsi.The 51-year-old ran a campaign shadowed by the divisive legacy of her father, who ruled Peru in the 1990s.Alberto Fujimori was jailed for corruption and crimes against humanity committed during what he considered a fight against terrorism.

Latin American leaders including Javier Milei attended Keiko Fujimori's inauguration in Peru © Connie FRANCE / AFP