Electoral Body Confirms Fujimori as President-Elect; Keiko Fujimori Declares Peru Enters New Chapter

(Taipei, July 4, CNA) After being confirmed by Peru's highest electoral body as the winner by a narrow margin, conservative President-elect Keiko Fujimori stated today that a "new chapter" is about to begin. Leaders from Latin American countries including the United States and Brazil have congratulated Fujimori, expressing hope for deepened cooperation.

According to Agence France-Presse, the official announcement of Fujimori's victory marks the end of one of the most intense presidential elections in Peru's history and ushers in the ninth president for the Andean nation in a decade.

Roberto Burneo, head of the electoral body, announced at a ceremony in Lima: "I officially declare Ms. Keiko Fujimori as President of the Republic and Mr. Luis Fernando Galarreta Velarde as First Vice President of the Republic."

Fujimori stated at her party headquarters in the capital: "Peru needs to restore order on the streets, in institutions, and in the nation."

She added: "Beyond being happy with this result, we will not wait a moment longer, because we are here to solve the country's problems and start making decisions. We know that citizens are expecting results."

Keiko Fujimori, daughter of the disgraced former president Alberto Fujimori, will succeed interim president Jose Maria Balcazar on July 28 and serve until 2031.

Peru is plagued by powerful organized crime groups and has long suffered from political instability. The 51-year-old Fujimori now takes on the heavy responsibility of governing the country. She wrote on social media platform X: "A new chapter begins."

Fujimori had lost three previous presidential bids. In her fourth attempt, she narrowly defeated left-wing opponent Roberto Sanchez with 50.135% of the vote compared to his 49.865%.

Her father, Alberto Fujimori, governed from 1990 to 2000. He was praised for defeating Maoist rebels and curbing hyperinflation, but later became infamous for corruption and crimes against humanity committed in the name of counter-terrorism, leading to his exile and imprisonment.

Sanchez claimed irregularities in the vote counting process, but electoral authorities have rejected his request to invalidate the election results. The defeated candidate is currently filing a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Several regional right-wing leaders congratulated Fujimori on her victory, including Argentine President Javier Milei and Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated today: "The Trump administration looks forward to deepening cooperation with the Fujimori administration to advance security cooperation and strengthen our bilateral cooperation in investment and trade within our region."

Colombian far-right President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella told Fujimori in a video call: "Keiko, it will be wonderful to serve as president of our respective countries at the same time as a woman with your qualities, character, patriotism, and courage."

Brazilian leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also congratulated the new Peruvian leader. He wrote on social media platform X today: "Count on Brazil, let's build a more prosperous, integrated, democratic, and sovereign South America together." (Compiled by Chang Hsiao-wen) 1150704

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