Key facts
- Keiko Fujimori has been declared the winner of Peru's presidential election.
- Moody's expects Fujimori's government to boost investor confidence and maintain policy continuity.
- This stability could lead to the unlocking of delayed mining and infrastructure projects.
- Fujimori's victory reaffirms a rightward shift in Latin America.
- The country faces deep political polarization and a fragmented Congress.
Keiko Fujimori has been officially declared the winner of Peru's presidential race after a closely contested election, according to the country's electoral office. Fujimori secured 50.135% of the vote, narrowly defeating her leftist opponent Roberto Sanchez, who had claimed electoral fraud. The tight race highlighted Peru's deep political polarization.
Ratings agency Moody's has indicated that Fujimori's victory is expected to boost investor confidence and maintain policy continuity. The agency anticipates that this stability could help unlock delayed mining and infrastructure projects, supporting Peru's economic growth. Fujimori's win is seen as reaffirming a rightward shift in Latin America, with several conservative leaders, including Argentina's Javier Milei and El Salvador's Nayib Bukele, offering congratulations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also extended congratulations and stated the Trump administration looks forward to deepening cooperation.
Fujimori, the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, faces the challenge of uniting a polarized nation with a fragmented Congress. Her party holds the most seats in Congress, while Sanchez's party holds the second-largest bloc. Peru has experienced significant political turmoil, with multiple presidents ousted in the last decade.