Peru presidential runoff pits Fujimori against Sanchez

Roberto Sánchez, a protege of a jailed leader, is campaigning in Peru with a focus on reducing the nation's inequities, particularly in its copper-rich regions. Peru is heading to a presidential runoff election between Sánchez and conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori. The election's outcome may be influenced by approximately 500,000 small, artisanal gold miners who benefit from the REINFO program, which allows them to operate with less stringent environmental and operating permits. This program, originally set to expire in 2020, has been repeatedly extended due to the sector's growing economic and electoral influence, with gold exports estimated at $11 billion in 2025. Both candidates are courting these miners, though Fujimori has also courted larger mining companies who oppose REINFO. Sánchez, who previously voted to extend REINFO, draws strength from rural areas where informal mining is widespread, while Fujimori tends to be supported in urban areas. Critics argue REINFO shields illegal mining and organized crime, causing environmental damage, while supporters see it as an economic lifeline. A Reuters analysis of REINFO data revealed that individuals with revoked permits continue to hold legal representative roles in companies with active permits, and some companies with revoked permits continue to operate. Mining accounts for nearly 12% of Peru's GDP, but many mining regions lack basic infrastructure, a gap Sánchez has pledged to address. Large mining companies express concern over the influence of informal mining, citing delays in projects like the $2.6 billion Los Chancas project due to conflicts with informal miners. Peru has experienced significant political instability with eight presidents in the last decade.