Fujimori Ally’s Comments Reignite Anger Over Peru Protest Deaths, Threaten Keiko Fujimori’s Candidacy
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A recent statement by a congressman aligned with the Fujimori political dynasty has sparked outrage among families of victims killed during protests against President Dina Boluarte, potentially jeopardizing the presidential aspirations of Keiko Fujimori. The controversy centers on comments made by Fernando Rospigliosi, current president of Congress, which relatives of the deceased have condemned as insensitive and dismissive.
Escalating Tensions and Accusations of Insensitivity
Rospigliosi, known for his staunch defense of the government’s response to the unrest, recently asserted that the protests against Boluarte were instigated by “terrorists” and that the sole victims were members of the police and military acting to uphold “democracy.” This claim flies in the face of documented evidence indicating that at least 49 civilians lost their lives during the social upheaval of 2022 and 2023. The remarks have ignited a firestorm of criticism, particularly from those directly affected by the violence.
Families Vow to Campaign Against Fujimorism
The president of the Association of Victims of January 9 – representing families of the 18 individuals killed in Juliaca – stated that Rospigliosi’s position will have significant political repercussions for Keiko Fujimori’s candidacy. “This man is disgusting and miserable,” the representative declared. “We will campaign against Fujimorism and we will not allow Keiko Fujimori to reach Puno. We are going to throw her out of Puno. We are not going to allow a Fujimorist to insult us in that way. He is a coward.”
Leaders in Juliaca echoed this sentiment, vowing to actively oppose any right-wing political presence in the region. “These insults, the discrimination that they apply against the people of Puno empower us,” said Wili Ito, a local leader. “We do not show solidarity with those who lost their loved ones. We join in everything that means being against Fujimorism.”
A History of Political Shifts
The outrage directed at Rospigliosi is further fueled by his own complex political past. Critics point to his earlier involvement with the leftist Vanguardia Revolucionaria in the 1980s, highlighting a dramatic ideological shift that now sees him defending the actions of security forces. “That was a false leftist and now a good servile of the right and benefactor of military and murderous police,” one bereaved family member stated. “They killed my brother saving lives. Many were killed from a distance. In his memory we are going to face that poor man. It must be horrible to grow old as a Fujimorist.”
The escalating tensions underscore the deep divisions within Peruvian society and the enduring legacy of the Fujimori era. As Keiko Fujimori prepares for a potential presidential run, she faces the challenge of distancing herself from the controversial rhetoric of her allies and addressing the legitimate grievances of those who continue to seek justice for the victims of the recent protests.
