Peru Victims' Families Reject Incoming Fujimori Government

Relatives of victims of state violence in Peru held a vigil in central Lima late Monday, rejecting president-elect Keiko Fujimori's incoming government on the eve of her inauguration.

More than 100 people gathered to demand justice for crimes including disappearances and murders committed under the government of her father, Alberto Fujimori, who ruled from 1990 to 2000. He was jailed for corruption and crimes against humanity committed in the name of fighting what he considered terrorism.

Demonstrators held photos of victims and placards saying, "Keiko must not take office."

Marly Anzualdo, who is still searching for the body of her brother Kenneth after his disappearance in 1993, told AFP: "We expect nothing good from her... For so many years we have been fighting for justice to be done, and we know how they operate."

According to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Kenneth Anzualdo was transported alive to army headquarters by intelligence services.

Demonstrators also criticised Fujimori's Fuerza Popular party for supporting amnesty laws favouring police and army members prosecuted for human rights violations during Peru's 1980-2000 internal armed conflict.

Relatives of victims of the repression of protests under Dina Boluarte's government in 2022 and 2023 also attended. They accuse Fujimori and her party of shielding Boluarte from accusations brought against her in Congress.

Fujimori is due to take office on Tuesday, succeeding interim leader Jose Maria Balcazar. She will govern until 2031.