Peru Bids Farewell to Former President Alberto Fujimori with National Mourning

Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori was laid to rest on Saturday after three days of national mourning. Thousands of supporters gathered outside a Lima museum to pay their respects. The burial ceremony, held at the presidential palace, saw soldiers in 19th-century uniforms saluting his casket. However, current President Dina Boluarte did not speak about Fujimori during the event.

Fujimori, who passed away from cancer at 86 on Wednesday, served as Peru's president from 1990 to 2000. He had spent most of the past 15 years in prison for crimes against humanity. His administration is credited with stabilising Peru's economy and defeating the Shining Path, a violent communist group.

Fujimori's Authoritarian Turn

In 1992, Fujimori's government took an authoritarian turn when he ordered the military to shut down Peru's congress and supreme court, declaring a state of emergency. This move, known as the "Fujimorazo," undermined Peru's democracy and led to numerous human rights abuses. Political scientists note that this action inspired similar moves by other Latin American leaders to consolidate executive power.

In 2009, Fujimori was convicted for his role in two massacres that resulted in 25 deaths and the kidnapping of a journalist following the 1992 coup. He received a 25-year prison sentence, becoming the first elected Latin American leader convicted of crimes against humanity.

Legal Battles and Pardon

Fujimori spent his final years contesting the 2009 ruling and other corruption charges. In 2017, then-President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski granted him a pardon, which was later revoked by the Interamerican Court of Human Rights. The pardon was reinstated last year, leading to his release from prison.

On Saturday, a religious ceremony for Fujimori was held at a large theatre in Lima, attended by his children and hundreds of supporters. His eldest daughter, Keiko Fujimori, expressed relief at her father's release from what she termed "years of unjust imprisonment." She stated, "Finally daddy, you are free from the hate and vengeance of those people who did not forgive you for rescuing us from hunger and terror."

Family and Political Legacy

Fujimori is survived by two daughters and two sons. Keiko Fujimori has run for president twice and currently leads the conservative party Fuerza Popular. This party has blocked several attempts by left-wing parties to impeach President Boluarte over the deaths of anti-government protesters in late 2022 and early last year.

The former president's tenure remains controversial due to his authoritarian measures and human rights violations. Despite this, many Peruvians remember him for his economic reforms and efforts against insurgency.

The national mourning period highlighted the deep divisions in Peruvian society regarding Fujimori's legacy. While some view him as a hero who saved Peru from economic collapse and terrorism, others see him as a dictator responsible for severe human rights abuses.

Fujimori's influence continues through his daughter Keiko, who remains a significant figure in Peruvian politics. Her leadership of Fuerza Popular ensures that her father's political legacy endures despite his contentious history.