Peru’s former president Alberto Fujimori, who ruled with an iron fist and later spent 16 years in prison for crimes against humanity, passed away on Wednesday in Lima at the age of 86.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Fujimori’s children—Keiko, Hiro, Sachie, and Kenji—announced, “After a long battle with cancer, our father, Alberto Fujimori, has just departed to meet the Lord.”
Fujimori, who governed Peru from 1990 to 2000, was released from prison on humanitarian grounds in December, two-thirds of the way through his 25-year sentence for crimes against humanity committed during his presidency.
A key figure in Peru’s so-called war on terrorism, Fujimori’s administration fought against Shining Path and Tupac Amaru leftist rebels, resulting in over 69,000 deaths and 21,000 disappearances from 1980 to 2000, mostly civilians, according to a government truth commission.
His daughter Keiko announced that his wake would start on Thursday at the National Museum, with his burial set for Saturday. The government declared three days of national mourning starting Thursday and promised him “the funeral honors that correspond to a president in office,” according to an official decree.
Sources close to the family reported that Fujimori’s health deteriorated rapidly after completing treatment for tongue cancer in August. He was last seen publicly leaving a Lima clinic where he had undergone a CT scan.
As news of his death spread, debates over his legacy intensified. Supporters gathered outside his home chanting, “El chino did not die! El chino is present!” Meanwhile, detractors and supporters alike reflected on his controversial tenure.
Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen extended condolences to Fujimori’s family, stating, “We want his children and relatives to know we feel sorrow.”
Fujimori was convicted in 2009 for massacres committed by army death squads in 1991 and 1992, which resulted in 25 deaths, including a child. In December 2017, President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski pardoned Fujimori due to ill health, but the Supreme Court later annulled the pardon, and Fujimori was returned to prison in January 2019. He was released again in December 2023 after a court reinstated his pardon.
Fujimori was both admired and reviled in Peru. Supporters praised him for saving the nation from guerrilla movements and stabilizing the economy, while critics denounced him as an autocrat who disregarded legal frameworks and committed human rights violations. His presidency also faced a major bribery scandal involving his intelligence chief Vladimiro Montesinos.
One of the most dramatic episodes of his presidency was the 1996-1997 hostage crisis at the Japanese embassy in Lima, where Fujimori’s commandos rescued nearly all 72 hostages and killed 14 rebels.
Japan’s top government spokesman, Yoshimasa Hayashi, acknowledged Fujimori’s efforts in the hostage rescue but also recognized the mixed evaluations of his legacy due to his human rights violations.