Peru Holds Presidential Election with 35 Candidates Amid Rising Crime Concerns

Peru's presidential election took place on Sunday, with voters choosing from 35 candidates. This marks the ninth presidential election in the country over the past 10 years. Among the candidates are a former minister, a comedian, and Keiko Fujimori, daughter of late President Alberto Fujimori.

Voting is mandatory for Peruvians aged 18 to 70. 2 million expected to cast ballots from abroad, primarily in the United States and Argentina. A candidate requires more than 50% of the votes to win outright, though a runoff in June is expected due to the large number of candidates and divided electorate.

Crime as a Key Issue The election unfolds amid a rise in violent crime and corruption cases.

Official data indicate that homicides have doubled and extortion cases have increased fivefold this decade. In 2025, more than 200 public transportation drivers were killed in Peru. A national survey by the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics in 2025 found that 84% of respondents in urban areas feared becoming victims of crime in the following 12 months.

Construction worker Juan Gómez, 53, described experiences with robbers on motorcycles who approach without police presence nearby. Retiree Raúl Zevallos, 63, noted risks on public buses, including shootings targeting drivers.

Candidates' Proposals on Security Several candidates have addressed crime concerns with specific proposals.

Keiko Fujimori, a conservative former congresswoman running for president for the fourth time, stated she would implement a strict crackdown on crime. She has supported laws that eliminate preliminary detention in certain cases and raise thresholds for seizing criminal assets, and if elected, she said judges in criminal cases would be anonymous and prisoners would work for their food.

Rafael López Aliaga, the conservative former mayor of Lima, proposed building prisons in the Amazon region, allowing judges to conceal their identities, and expelling foreigners living illegally in Peru.

Comedian-turned-politician Carlos Álvarez promised to consult leaders from El Salvador, Denmark, and Singapore for security expertise.

Congressional Election and Reforms Voters are also selecting members of a bicameral Congress for the first time in more than 30 years, following recent legislative reforms.

The new structure includes a Senate that cannot be dissolved by the president but can vote to remove the president from power. This change concentrates significant authority in the upper chamber. The election reflects widespread voter concerns over security and governance.

A runoff would determine the president if no candidate secures a majority in the first round.