Peruvians are casting ballots in a closely contested presidential runoff on Sunday, a vote widely seen as a defining moment for the country’s political direction and a broader test of Latin America’s gradual shift toward the right.
The election pits conservative Keiko Fujimori against left-wing candidate Roberto Sanchez in a race that polls suggest is too close to call. Fujimori, daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, has positioned herself as the continuity candidate on security and economic stability.
Sanchez, meanwhile, is campaigning on sweeping reforms aimed at addressing inequality and expanding opportunities outside the capital.
Across the region, several countries have recently elected right-leaning leaders, including Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, while Bolivia moved away from two decades of socialist governance in its latest election cycle. Peru’s vote is now being watched as part of that broader regional realignment.
Public concern over crime has dominated the campaign. Rising levels of homicide, extortion, and organized criminal activity have triggered widespread unease and contributed to political instability, including the removal of former president Dina Boluarte following mass protests.
Fujimori topped the first round in April and has leaned more openly on the legacy of her father’s hardline rule, despite earlier efforts to distance herself from his authoritarian record. Supporters credit his administration with defeating insurgent groups and stabilizing the economy, arguments she has echoed on the campaign trail.
“This is about restoring order and protecting Peruvians from chaos,” one supporter, Willy Policarpo, said at a campaign rally, reflecting the sentiment among voters who favor tougher security policies.
This marks Fujimori’s fourth attempt at winning the presidency in a runoff election. In 2021, she narrowly lost by fewer than 50,000 votes in a highly disputed contest.
Her opponent, Sanchez, is appealing to voters in rural and underserved regions, promising structural reforms including a new constitution, changes to mining regulations, and increased investment in public services. His message has resonated with informal workers and communities long excluded from Peru’s formal economy, though it has unsettled financial markets amid fears of sweeping policy shifts.
The campaign has been marked by tension and allegations of irregularities, with both sides warning of possible unrest depending on the outcome. Whoever wins will face the challenge of governing alongside a deeply fragmented congress that has contributed to repeated presidential crises in recent years.
Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. local time and are scheduled to close at 5 p.m., with early results expected within hours, although official confirmation could take several days or longer.
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