Key facts
- Keiko Fujimori holds a narrow lead over Roberto Sanchez in Peru's presidential election.
- The vote count includes thousands of contested ballots from the June 7 runoff.
- Fujimori leads by 50.051% to Sanchez's 49.949% with 98.59% of votes tallied.
- A small mountain district, Lahuaytambo, was perfectly split in the presidential runoff, mirroring the national divide.
- Residents in Lahuaytambo expressed a desire for improved infrastructure and benefits from the central government, regardless of who wins.
In the remote Andean district of Lahuaytambo, the presidential runoff election ended in a perfect tie, with 181 votes cast for conservative Keiko Fujimori and 181 for leftist Roberto Sanchez. This split mirrors the razor-thin national race, where Fujimori currently holds a narrow lead of 50.05% to Sanchez's 49.95% as contested ballots are tallied.
The division in Lahuaytambo, perched at nearly 3,400 meters (11,000 feet), reflects broader political fractures in Peru, characterized by disillusionment with political elites and stark inequalities between the capital and rural regions. Residents often prioritize tangible benefits like paved roads or improved infrastructure over national political debates.
Voters expressed differing hopes for the candidates. Some, like farmer Jonathan Javier Medina, support Fujimori believing she will aid the poor in mountain regions and boost agriculture. Others, like Enma Zabaleta, hope Sanchez will bring change and fulfill promises for infrastructure improvements. Distrust of Fujimori's long political history, including her time as first lady under her father, former President Alberto Fujimori, leads some, like shopkeeper Sebastian Davila, to favor Sanchez as a potential break from the past.
Political scientist Paula Munoz noted that the slim margins reflect growing citizen disenchantment, with a majority of voters not favoring either candidate in the first round. The story highlights the persistent imbalance between Lima's concentrated power and investment and the neglect faced by rural Andean areas, a divide that previously propelled Pedro Castillo to victory in 2021.