Death of late Peruvian leader Fujimori sparks emotional tributes from loyal supporters: Video
Supporters of the late ex-president of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, gathered outside the residence of his daughter to pay their respects as vehicles arrived, carrying flowers and a coffin.
The former president passed away on September 11 at the age of 86, following a long battle with cancer.
His death was announced by his daughter, Keiko Fujimori, who posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “After a long battle with cancer, our father, Alberto Fujimori, has just departed to meet the Lord.”
Fujimori, who ruled Peru from 1990 to 2000 as its 54th president was known for his controversial leadership and later spent 16 years in prison for crimes against humanity.
Despite his incarceration, he retained a loyal base of supporters. "We were very shocked. I was on my way here when he died and I found out when I arrived. It is a very unexpected pain; we thought that our president would make it to the end, that he would run for president. Because it was already clear that he was going to win the elections,” said Juana Valverde, a supporter, as quoted by AFP.
"Many Peruvians feel very sad because, we thought perhaps when he got out of jail this year, that this good man who gave us peace and economic stability was going to carry on. We were going to bet on a good man like Alberto Fujimori for the elections. But he caught us by surprise with his death, and it has been like a hole, such an immense pain," Natividad Rios another supporter also said.
Fujimori, the son of Japanese immigrants, led the nation through significant political and economic turmoil but faced widespread condemnation for his authoritarian rule.
In July, his daughter Keiko, who ran unsuccessfully for president three times, revealed that her father had expressed intentions of running for president again in 2026.
Keiko announced that her father will be laid to rest at the Museo de la Nación, one of two major museums of Peruvian history in Lima, starting Thursday, September 12 at 11 a.m. local time until Saturday, September 14. He will then be transferred to the Campo Fe cemetery in Huachipa for burial.
