Fujimori takes charge in Peru amid China, US balancing act
Peru's new president, Keiko Fujimori, has promised more security and investment. As she takes office, she'll have to find space for the South American nation
Peru's new president, Keiko Fujimori, has promised more security and investment. As she takes office, she'll have to find space for the South American nation amid Washington and Beijing's geopolitical rivalry. When Keiko Fujimori steps into the presidential office on Tuesday, she'll bring back a political movement that hasn't been in power for more than a quarter century. Fujimorism, a mix of neoliberalism, populism and strict government policies, characterized the 1990-2000 presidency of her father, the late Alberto Fujimori. Keiko Fujimori is stepping in amid a climate of social polarization, with promises to deliver more security, economic recovery and improvements in the health and education sectors. Fujimori has been clear she wants to align more closely with the US and other conservative governments Image: Martin Mejia/AP Photo/dpa/picture alliance But beyond those domestic projects, Fujimori is taking charge at a time of increased strategic importance for Peru. The country has become one of the key battlegrounds in the growing competition between the United States and China for political influence in South America. Tough on crime Fujimori has already signaled that security will be the top priority for her government. On the agenda: more video surveillance, a stronger police presence, tougher punishment for crimes and organized gangs, and command and control centers across the country. Part of the crackdown includes the construction of four mega-prisons, like those in El Salvador. Eliana Carlin, a political science expert at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru in Lima, is concerned by how Fujimori's plans will affect human rights. "Behind [these measures] lie strong ideological positions intended to justify making the police and the armed forces solely subject to military jurisdiction," she said.
In addition to a stronger focus on security, Fujimori has said she intends to advance infrastructure projects, attract private investment, build new schools and hospitals and modernize the country with the help of technology and artificial intelligence. But delivering on these pledges depends largely on whether the government can find the necessary funds. Infrastructure and essential services continue to face significant deficits. Added to that is the surging crime rate and the threat of the strengthening El Nino weather pattern, which could hit Peru with increased drought, extreme heat, flooding and other climate-related disruptions. How a 'super El Nino' could change global weather To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Strategic player in South America Foreign policy will also be a major challenge for Fujimori's administration. The opening of the Chancay port and logistics hub has turned Peru into a strategic player in regional trade — and made it a central focus in the geopolitical rivalry between Washington and Beijing. The estimated $3.5 billion (€3 billion) project is part of China's world-spanning Belt and Road Initiative. Once fully operational, the port is expected to reduce the shipping time between Peru and China from around 40 to about 23 days, turning Chancay into a new gateway to Asia. Thanks to the port and other investments, China has become Peru's most important trading partner. Bilateral trade between the two countries exceeded $40 billion in 2024, according to official figures. In second place is the US, with nearly $25 billion in trade.
The BriefWire